Mediterr. J. Otol 2008; 4:(2)

Management of labyrinthine fistula and accompanying findings

Masoud Naderpour, Ghodrat Mohammadi, Najmeh Doostmohammadian,

Tabriz University of Medical Science, ORL Dept. Tabriz, Iran.  mohammadig@yahoo.Co.nz

Objective: To describe the audio-vestibular results of labyrinthine fistula surgery in patients with cholesteatoma.

Patients and Methods: Data of 185 patients who had undergone surgery for cholesteatoma between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed. Three-layer sealing was used for the management of fistula.

Results: Twenty patients were found to have labyrinthine fistula, of which 11 (55%) were male and 9(45%) female. Fistula wase located in lateral semicircular canal in all cases. Correlation of labyrinthine fistula and facial nerve dehiscence was statistically significant. Follow up was done for 1- 6 year. Postoperatively, vertigo disappeared in 19 (95 %) patients. Hearing remained unchanged in 18 (90 %) patients.  Worsening in bone conduction thresholds was observed in 2 (10 %) patients. Postoperative deafness did not occur.

Conclusion: Possibility of facial nerve dehiscence and tegmen defect should be considered in patients with labyrinthine fistula. Three-layer sealing may be a valuable technique in surgical treatment of labyrinthine fistula, lowering the risk of cochleovestibular functions.