Ossicular reconstruction is the reconstruction of tiny bones of the middle ear. If the gap between the anvil bone and the stapes is small, a small piece of bone or cartilage from the patient can be inserted; it is large, the incus bone is removed, modeled into a prosthesis, and reinserted between the stapes and the malleus. Reconstruction could also be achieved by inserting a strut made from artificial bone. For tympanoplasty with ossicular reconstruction, the patient usually stays in the hospital overnight. The recovery period is about four weeks.