Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
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Since 1996 the active middle-ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is used to treat mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing losses. The former standard surgical approach for incus vibroplasty included a mastoidectomy and a posterior tympanotomy, crimping the Floating-Mass Transducer (FMT) to the long incus process. The introduction of the short process (SP) coupler allows the attachment of the FMT to the incus body making the procedure of a posterior tympanotomy unnecessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of surgery (surgical case length) and to compare the audiological results of SP coupling with the former standard surgical approach to the long incus process. ⋯ The SP coupler leads to a shortened time of surgery and by the less invasive surgery to reduced risks for facial nerve and chorda tympani. Speech perception is significantly improved by SP coupling compared to classic long incus coupling.