PORPs and TORPs Versus Allografts After Five Years

Abstract

When ossicular replacement prostheses made from porous polyethylene were introduced eight years ago, many otologists having previously experienced disappointment with teflon prostheses, had reservations about their suitability for tympanoplasty. In 1975 animal experiments and a clinical investigation were set up in the Eye and Ear Clinic of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, in order to discover whether porous polyethylene provided any advantage over allografts in current use. This report concerns a comparison of some of the results obtained with partial and total ossicular replacement prostheses (PORPs and TORPs) inserted during the initial 12 months of a clinical trial (1) with the results obtained using autologous and homologous ossicular bone and homologous nasal cartilage (2) in a similar group of ears during the immediately preceding 12-month period. The purpose of this study was to determine not only the overall results but also, in particular, the durability of initially successful operations.