Self-crimping superelastic nitinol prosthesis and malleostapedotomy: a temporal bone study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the results of application of 2 types of superelastic nitinol prostheses. STUDY DESIGN: Temporal bones study with planned data collection. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Malleostapedotomy was performed in 15 human temporal bones implanting 3 different prostheses: manually crimping polytetrafluoroethylene (MC-PTFE) piston, nitinol self-crimping polytetrafluoroethylene (SC-PTFE) piston, and a modified nitinol self-crimping polytetrafluoroethylene (mSC-PTFE) piston. The first 2 have a diameter of 0.4 mm and length of 7 mm, whereas the mSC-PTFE piston has a diameter of 0.4 mm but a length of 7.75 mm. We evaluated various parameters of prosthesis attachment-that is, the time for implantation of SC and mSC nitinol loop pistons and the MC platinum loop piston, the quality of attachment of the prostheses to the malleus, their positions with respect to the center of the stapes footplate, and the protrusion of the piston into the vestibule. RESULTS: The mSC-PTFE superelastic nitinol prosthesis showed a statistically significant difference in mean operation time (mSC vs SC, P < .0001; SC vs MC, P < .0001; mSC vs MC, P < .0001). The protrusion of the piston into the vestibule was highly reproducible in all 3 prostheses. CONCLUSION: Because of its greater length, the mSC-PTFE allows for management of the most varied anatomical conditions. At the same time, its self-crimping nature prevents the risk of distortion of the prosthesis by the crimping process and reduces the operation time in combination with standardized bending of the prosthesis shaft.