Polyethylene Sponge Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis: A Histopathologic Study

To the Editor—.In the December 1982Archives, Postma and Shea1reported on a high-density polyethylene sponge (Plastipore) total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) that was studied histologically 15 months after surgery. They stated specifically: "The plastipore TORP was enveloped by, and fitted with, an interlacing network of fibrous tissue without inflammatory cell infiltration or foreign-body giant cells."1(p802) Their Fig 1 is suggestive of distinct infiltration of the prosthesis by giant cells and Fig 2 probably depicts many giant cells. Unfortunately, the quality of this photograph does not allow definite conclusions. Therefore, Jan 4, 1983, one of us (T.P.) wrote to Dr Shea asking him to send us the original sections for evaluation, as our own experience of this material is contrary to those of Postma and Shea.2 We received from Dr Shea not the sections reported but slides of several TORPs and one partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) removed after an