Bioactive glass (S53P4) in chronic otitis – first results

Although the ear surgery shows a development to minimal invasive techniques there are still cases of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma which must be treated by an open mastoid cavity

During the further process an open mastoid cavity can lead to complications like dizziness and otorrhea or simple to problems in cleaning of the cavity.

For these cases the reconstruction of the posterior wall of external ear canal is a possible treatment approach.

Since 2012 the ENT department of AMEOS Klinikum Halberstadt is using S53P4 (BonAlive) for reconstruction of the external ear canal and obliteration of radical cavities.

S53P4 (BonAlive) is a bioactive material that elicits a specific biological response at the interface between material and tissue. It is a mixture of oxides composed of 53% SiO2, 23% Na2O, 20% CaO, and 4% P2O5 with the property of being antibacterial against many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

We treated 137 cases with S53P4 for obliteration of open mastoid cavities.

The follow up time is about 20 month in mean (0 – 80 months). The median age is 56,5 years (11 – 83 years).

There are no relevant complications so far. Due to our learning curve we changed our operation procedure from endaural incision to retroauricular incision.

Revision surgery took place in one case due to vertigo. We found some inflammation tissue intraoperatively. S53P4 was used again for obliteration. There are no complications after revision.

Another patient was operated twice due to rejection of S53P4.

S53P4 seems to be a stable material for obliteration of open mastoid cavities. After successful obliteration wearing of hearing aids is often possible without any otorrhea. S53P4 is also appropriate for using in cases of cochlear implantation and in combination with implantation of VSB.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)