Lateral semicircular canal fenestration for congenital conductive hearing loss: Solution for a dilemma.

OBJECTIVE

To determine functional results after lateral semicircular canal fenestration on congenital conductive hearing loss.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Amir-Alam otolaryngology tertiary referral center.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Twenty patients with congenital oval window malformations who were not candidates for ossicular reconstruction underwent lateral semicircular canal fenestration. A skin graft was placed over the perforated fascial graft on the fenestrated area.

RESULTS

The median preoperative mean air conduction (MAC) was 56.9 dB (50.0 dB median air-bone). Postoperative median MAC gain of 34.3 dB (P < 0.001) and the median air-bone gap of 18.8 dB were observed. The mean bone conduction (MBC) did not show any significant changes postoperatively (P = 0.12). No sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or imbalance was observed.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated hearing improvement after lateral semicircular canal fenestration. This technique can be considered as an alternative for patients with middle ear anomalies who are not candidates for ossicular reconstruction.