Conductive hearing loss following retrolabyrinthine surgery.

BACKGROUND

Conductive hearing loss can occur following neuro-otological procedures due to bony ossicular fixation resulting from viable bone dust remains.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the frequency and features of the complication of conductive hearing loss following retrolabyrinthine surgery.

DESIGN

In a review of 77 retrolabyrinthine neuro-otological procedures, 3 cases (3.9%) of postoperative conductive hearing loss were encountered.

RESULTS

Bone dust can cause a postoperative conductive hearing deficit that becomes apparent 6 months following surgery, and progressive deterioration can occur up to 18 months. The anatomical areas of ossicular fixation are the incudomalleal joint in the attic and around the stapes in the oval window niche. Excision of these bony accumulation particles does not revert the conductive hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS

We advocate the use of occlusive material in the aditus during temporal bone surgery to prevent bone dust accumulation in the attic and middle ear. In the event of such a complication, an incus transposition ossiculoplasty is recommended.