Histopathology of fenestration operation for otosclerosis.

The author describes the histopathology of fenestration operation in five temporal bones of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary collection. The four subjects underwent the intervention more than 18 years before their death. One of the patients was operated bilaterally by Lempert himself in 1950. Special attention is given to the effect on hearing results of the otosclerotic disease; the condition of the middle ear, mastoidectomy cavity, and fenestra; and the lateral and posterior membranous semicircular canals. Also the patency of the three fenestrae (the oval, the round, and the new fenestra) in respect to the resulting hearing function, is considered.