Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Ossicular Chain Reconstruction: Three Bones

Ossicular chain reconstruction can improve conductive hearing. In some cases, all three middle ear bones are replaced. During surgery, you will be given local anesthesia with sedation. Or you may get general anesthesia. Middle ear bone surgery takes about 1 to 3 hours. It is often done along with a tympanoplasty or a mastoidectomy. It's also called middle ear bone surgery.

Man's face showing middle ear structures.

Damaged malleus, incus, and stapes bones

All three middle ear bones may be damaged. Your surgeon reaches the bones by going through the ear canal or making an incision behind the ear. Then an incision is made around the eardrum. The eardrum is held to one side. All or part of the damaged bones are removed.

Cross section of ear showing outer, inner, and middle ear structures with damaged malleus, incus, and stapes.

Replacing all three bones

All three bones may be replaced with an artificial part. This part is called a prosthesis. Your surgeon places one end of the prosthesis against the eardrum. The other end may touch the bone over the inner ear or be laid against a tissue graft. Then the eardrum is put back in place.

Cross section of ear showing outer, inner, and middle ear structures with prosthesis and tissue graft.

Online Medical Reviewer: Ashutosh Kacker MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Melinda Murray Ratini DO
Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2024
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.