Ossicular reconstruction in tympanoplasty — mobile stapes without crural arches, fixed stapes with and without crural arches

A description of ossicular reconstruction in problems with the stapes using autograft and/or homograft ossicles is given. The inverted stapes is employed for otosclerosis and tympanosclerosis. The two ossicle reconstruction is used in cases of a mobile footplate with absent crural arches. The reshaped incus is repositioned between the malleus handle and oval window when the stapes is fixed and there also exists a lateral ossicular chain defect. Loose connective tissue is an effective seal for the oval window and is a means of stabilizing ossicular functions.