Bilateral Vein Graft Stapedectomy Human temporal bone study

Abstract

Histopathological investigation was performed on a pair of human temporal bones in which stapedecto-mies had been performed 4–5 years before the death of the patient. The technique used for reconstruction was a vein graft-polyethylene tube. The vein graft was found to be an adequate barrier between the prosthesis and the vestibular labyrinth. No significant new bone formation was found in the oval window area. Foreign body reaction against the polyethylene tubing was slight. Except for a small area in one ear, the otosclerotic foci did not invade the internal periosteal layer. The bilateral identical locations and extent of the otosclerotic foci may indicate that this disease is of a systemic metabolic nature. The behavior of the long process of the incus raises a problem that a better attachment between the long process of the incus and the prosthesis should be explored.