[Vestibulotomy about the displaced facial nerve].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of vestibulotomy above the displaced facial nerve.

METHODS

From January 2000 to January 2002, eight patients with severe congenital conductive hearing loss underwent the vestibulotomy above displaced facial nerve and reconstruction of the ossicular chain with a total ossicular replacement prosthesis, which all for the congenital middle ear deformity and the facial nerve overhang and concealed the oval window niche or lied inferior to the oval window. In four of eight cases, the facial nerve was transposed in order to access the oval window niche.

RESULTS

Hearing of this patients improved 15 dB in 2 ears, 16-25 dB in 3 ears and 26 dB or more in 3 ears. In no case was there a postoperative facial paresis. With 4 months to 28 months follow-up, the postoperative hearing gain was stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Vestibulotomy above displacement of the facial nerve allows a final chance of achieving serviceable hearing through surgery. The lack of facial nerve injury and the potential for hearing restoration make this procedure feasible in otherwise marginal or poor surgical candidates.