Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the clinical classification and surgical strategy of congenital middle ear malformation.MethodsA total of 23 patients (33 ears) with congenital middle ear malformation admitted to our hospital from June 2016 to December 2019 were selected. The clinical classification of middle ear malformation and different surgical strategies were retrospectively analyzed to observe the postoperative efficacy and hearing recovery. All 23 cases (33 ears) with middle ear malformation were examined by ear endoscopy, audiology, temporal bone CT and threedimensional reconstruction of ossicular chain.ResultsEighteen of the 23 patients were confirmed for middle ear malformation preoperatively. And intraoperatively, 5 cases were identified for middle ear malformation. For 15 cases of them,malformation of hammer and anvil, artificial ossicles (TORP or PORP) or autogenous ossicles were selected for repair. Implantation of an artificial stapes (Piston) was selected for 6 patients with the malformed stapes. One patient was diagnosed with tympanic membrane perforation and congenital middle ear malformation, who was performed first tympanoplasty, then reconstruction of auditory chain in the second stage. The deformity of 1 case is more complex, which was bifurcated and blocked the vestibular window, and failed to perform a surgical treatment. After operation,there were 15 cases (65.2%) with normal airway threshold, and 16 cases (78.3%) with airbone gaps(ABG) within 30dB. There were 5 cases (21.7%) with ABG still exceeding 30dB after operation, 1 case (4.3%) with no hearing improvement, and 1 case (4.3%) without audioplasty.ConclusionsIt is difficult for preoperative diagnosis of congenital middle ear malformation. Preoperative CT examination is difficult to evaluate this disease accurately.Surgical exploration of congenital middle ear malformation is the most convincing diagnosis.The choice of the best surgical method is to cure the disease and improve the hearing after middle ear malformation after clarifying the clinical classification of middle ear malformation.