Somerset, NJ— Since its introduction 2 years ago, over 3,000 patients have received Oticon Medica1’s Ponto bone anchored hearing system in eight countries. A new retrospective white paper study of patients 
in the United States indicates that the Ponto system reflects strong patient acceptance with few failures.
The study examined the outcome of patients who underwent Ponto implantation at three institutions in the United States: Michigan Ear Institute, Arizona Hearing and Balance Center, and Georgia Health Sciences University. The study set out to examine the rate of implant loss, the rate of revision surgery, and the incidence of skin reactions.
A total of 98 patients (38 males and 60 females) 5 to 79 years old (mean age: 51.5 years) were included in the multi-center study. All had been implanted with a Ponto bone anchored system between November 2009 and June 2011. The mean follow-up time was 5.3 months.
The results of the retrospective survey found no implant extrusion in any of the 98 patients implanted with the Ponto system, and no revision surgery performed in any of the cases. Skin complications did not occur in the vast majority of patients, and those that occurred were minor and successfully managed clinically. Furthermore, out of 98 cases, none had osseointegration failure.
“The audiological benefits of the Ponto System have previously been documented, and I am very pleased that we can now show the first clinical results on the Ponto Implant from a multi-center survey,” said Jes Olsen, general manager of Oticon Medical in the press release. “These clinical outcomes along with the newest implantation numbers for the Ponto system indicate that we are successfully addressing a clear need for choice and patient-friendly options for physicians, audiologists, and their patients.”
To read the full white paper, “The Ponto Bone Anchored Implant System: A Survey of Clinical Outcomes,” contact Oticon Medical.
SOURCE: Oticon Medical
