Our clinical study proves whether or not the warning is justified not to reimplantate autologic ossicula in cholesteatoma operations in order to avoid recidives. After interposition of the autologic incus in 18 patients we found cholesteatome recidives--originating from the incus--in two cases. According to histological studies, even the most careful preparation cannot avoid that some cells of the epithelium remain on the ossicula, from which a cholesteatoma recidive may develop. Clinical studies show rather low rates of recidives compared with the histological findings. Possibly remaining squamous epithelium cells in autologic ossicles need not always cause recidives. Clinical and histological studies lead to the demand that because of the possibility of cholesteatoma recidives autologic ossicula should not be reimplated in cholesteatoma operations.