Comparing intermediate-term hearing results of NiTiBOND and Nitinol prostheses in stapes surgery

Abstract

Objective To statistically analyse the hearing thresholds of two cohorts undergoing stapedotomy for otosclerosis with two different prostheses. Method A retrospective study was conducted comparing NiTiBOND (n = 53) and Nitinol (n = 38) prostheses. Results Average follow-up duration was 4.1 years for NiTiBOND and 4.4 years for Nitinol prostheses. The post-operative air–bone gap was 10 dB or less, indicating clinical success. The p-values for differences between (1) pre- and post-operative values in the NiTiBOND group, (2) pre- and post-operative values in the Nitinol group, (3) pre-operative values and (4) post-operative values in the two groups were: air–bone gap – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.631 and p = 0.647; four-frequency bone conduction threshold – p = 0.076, p = 0.129, p < 0.001 and p = 0.005; four-frequency air conduction threshold – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.043 and p = 0.041; three-frequency (1, 2 and 4 kHz) bone conduction threshold pre-operatively – p = 0.639, p = 0.495, p = 0.001 and p = 0.01; and air conduction threshold at 4 kHz: – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.03 and p = 0.058. Conclusion Post-operative audiological outcomes for NiTiBOND and Nitinol were comparable.

Audiological outcome after stapes surgery in relation to prosthesis type

“…Today, titanium CliP® Piston or crimp prostheses are most widely used, and other materials, such as platinum wire/Teflon implants less so. In the past 20 years, studies have analysed the piston diameter [ 4 ], the method for stapedotomy [ 5 ], cement fixed crimpers [ 6 ], or the different clip types [ 7 – 11 ]. The few studies that have compared CliP® Piston and crimp prostheses showed no significant difference in the audiological outcome [ 8 , 9 ].…”