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The Journal of International Advanced Otology (J Int Adv Otol) is an international, peer reviewed, open access publication that is fully sponsored and owned by the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Politzer Society. The journal is published triannually in April, August, and December and its publication language is English.The scope of the Journal is limited with otology, neurotology, audiology (excluding linguistics) and skull base medicine.The Journal of International Advanced Otology aims to publish manuscripts at the highest clinical and scientific level. J Int Adv Otol publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research, review articles, short reports and a limited number of case reports. Controversial patient discussions, communications on emerging technology, and historical issues will also be considered for publication.Target audience of J Int Adv Otol includes physicians and academics who work in the fields of otology, neurotology, audiology and skull base medicine.

Introduction: Ossiculoplasty can be carried out in a number of ways, depending on the anatomical and functional conditions encountered during otosurgery and the experience of a given centre. The extent of damage to the ossicular chain determines the reconstruction method. Aim: The objective of the study was to analyse treatment effects in terms of postoperative hearing improvement in patients with chronic otitis media, with a particular emphasis on stapedial superstructure preservation. Material and method: The records of 294 consecutive patients undergoing their first ENT surgery due to chronic otitis media at the Department of Otolaryngology of Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University of Kraków in 2009–2013 were analysed. In order to assess the role of preserved stapedial superstructure, 96 patients were eligible for further analysis. Results: The analysis points to a significant hearing improvement after ossiculoplasty with the preserved stapedial superstructure as compared with the patients after footplate mobilisation. On the other hand, the research results point to significantly smaller hearing improvement in those patients, in whom only stapes was preserved, as compared with those, in whom a more extensive reconstruction of the ossicular chain was possible. Conclusions: The air-bone gap measured before otosurgery often fails to reflect the extent of abnormalities and cannot, therefore, be considered as the only prognostic factor for postoperative hearing improvement. Stapes preservation is crucial for hearing improvement after middle ear surgery.

The presence of granulation changes is an unfavorable prognostic condition in the patients with ear drum perforation. In clinical practice, the criterion which often determines the application of either of the materials in myringoplasty are operator's preferences, as well as the availability of given material for transplanting.

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