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

Abstract

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.