New Semi-Synthetic TORP Ossiculoplasty: Long-Term Results

Objective: To report the long-term hearing outcomes after ossiculoplasty using the new semi-synthetic TORP. Study design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Methods: From April to May 2023, 18 ossiculoplasties using the new semi-synthetic TORP were performed by the first author. In all patients, the new semi-synthetic TORP was placed between the stapes footplate and the tympanic membrane, both in the presence and absence of the stapes superstructure. The primary outcome was the long-term postoperative air-bone gap (ABG). Hearing stability over time was assessed by comparing short- and long-term postoperative ABG. Secondary outcomes included postoperative air-conduction pure-tone average (ACPTA), word recognition scores, and the percentage of patients achieving ABG ≤20 dB. The extrusion rate was also evaluated. Results: At short-term follow-up (mean: 8.5 mo), the ABG improved from a mean of 33.5 dB (SD=8.7) to 12.2 dB (SD=5.98); 88.8% of patients (16/18) achieved ABG ≤20 dB. The short-term postoperative ABG was significantly improved compared with preoperative values (t=27.7; P <0.05). At long-term follow-up (mean 24.5 mo), the ABG improved to 13.2 dB (SD=5.49), with 83.3% of patients (15/18) achieving ABG ≤20 dB (t=15.3; P <0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between short-term and long-term ABG (t=0.45; P > 0.05). The extrusion rate was 0%. Conclusions: The new semi-synthetic TORP ossiculoplasty demonstrated excellent and stable long-term hearing outcomes with no extrusion.