Audiologic Outcomes After Vestibulotomy in Patients With Congenital Absence of the Oval Window.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical features and surgical outcomes in patients with congenital absence of the oval window (CAOW), and to investigate the potential factors that affect audiologic results. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: A tertiary academic center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: A total of 17 ears among 16 patients were confirmed to have CAOW. Among them, 13 ears underwent vestibulotomy for hearing reconstruction. Clinical parameters associated with the hearing outcomes were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A mean air-bone gap (ABG) after 6-month and long-term follow-up was compared with preoperative measurements. RESULTS: Intraoperative findings showed that anomalies of the malleus or incus were observed in 11 ears (64.7%), stapes anomalies were present in all ears (100%), and facial nerve anomalies were present in 10 ears (58.8%). Because of unfavorable facial nerve anomalies, hearing reconstruction was aborted in four cases (23.5%). In the hearing reconstruction group, the mean ABG at 6 months postoperation was significantly reduced after compared with the preoperative value (44.0 ± 8.4 dB versus 58.8 ± 9.1 dB, p = 0.006). After dividing ears into a success subgroup (ABG ≤ 30 dB, seven ears) and non-success subgroup (ABG > 30 dB, six ears), the use of a drill during vestibulotomy was significantly related to a poor hearing outcome (100% versus 16.7%, p = 0.015). The long-term follow-up result (mean, 60 mo) revealed no deterioration compared with the 6-month postoperative result. Five ears (29.4%) underwent revision surgery, and three of them showed ABG improvements. No serious complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Vestibulotomy is an effective and safe option for hearing restoration in patients with CAOW, particularly when the use of a drill is not required. The long-term audiologic outcome is also reliable.

Location of the Tympanic Nerve Relative to the Round and Oval Windows.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to measure the distance of the tympanic nerve to the oval window and round window niche in adult cadavers for evaluating its usability as an anatomical landmark during middle ear-related surgeries, including stapedotomy and cochleostomy, and for preventing its iatrogenic damage during surgical practices such as otosclerosis surgery and cochlear implantation. METHODS: The middle ears of 10 adult cadavers aged 74.70 ± 14.56 years were bilaterally dissected with the help of an endoscope and microscope to measure the distance of tympanic nerve to round window niche and oval window. RESULTS: Tympanic nerve was found as 1.60 ± 0.86 mm (range, 0-3.11 mm) and 1.55 ± 0.38 mm (range, 1.04-2.20 mm) away from round window niche and oval window, respectively. In relation to the quantitative values of these 2 distances, neither right-left nor male-female significant differences were determined (P > .05). Tympanic nerve was observed in all temporal bones. In terms of the shape and twigs of tympanic nerve, extreme variations among cadaveric temporal bones were determined. Tympanic nerve-round window niche distance between 0-1 mm was defined as type 1 (20%), between 1 and 2 mm as type 2 (45%), between 2 and 3 mm as type 3 (30%), and between 3 and 4 mm as type 4 (5%). CONCLUSION: Tympanic nerve may be vulnerable at round window niche- or oval window-related surgeries (e.g., cochleostomy).

Anatomic features of the fetal round and oval windows, and their relations with the tympanic nerve.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to examine morphometric properties of the round window (RW) and oval window (OW) and to show their relation with the tympanic nerve (the Jacobson's nerve, JN) in human fetuses from the otologic surgeon's perspective. METHODS: Thirty temporal bones of 15 fetal cadavers (8 males, 7 females) aged with 24.40 ± 3.71 weeks were included in the study. The height, width and surface area of the RW and OW and also distance from the JN to the OW and RW were measured. RESULTS: The height, width and surface area of the RW in this work were measured as 1.48 ± 0.25 mm, 1.57 ± 0.37 mm, and 2.05 ± 0.69 mm2, respectively. The RW was detected as round-shaped (8 cases, 26.7%), oval-shaped (15 cases, 50%), and dome-shaped (7 cases, 23.3%). The height, width and surface area of the OW were measured as 1.42 ± 0.26 mm, 2.90 ± 0.44 mm, and 3.63 ± 0.74 mm2, respectively. The OW was observed as oval-shaped (15 cases, 50%), kidney-shaped (10 cases, 33.3%), D-shaped (4 cases, 13.3%), and trapezoid-shaped (1 case, 3.3%). The JN was found 1.21 ± 0.60 and 1.18 ± 0.54 mm away from the RW and OW, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study containing morphological data about the shapes, diameters and area of the RW and OW may be useful to predict surgical difficulty, and to select implants of suitable size preoperatively for the windows. Knowing the relationship between the JN and the windows can be helpful to avoid iatrogenic injuries of the nerve.

Cochlear implant surgery through oval window: A novel approach in a child with facial nerve aberration.

Cochlear implantation is safe for simple case presentations. However, facial nerve (FN) aberrations may impede insertion of the electrode through a round window and increase the risk of iatrogenic FN injury. We developed a novel method of cochlear implantation, a present the case of a child with FN aberrations. Inferior displacement of a horizontal segment of FN lay on the surface of th e promontory, obscuring the round window. The oval window was used and the electrode successfully inserted. No postoperative complications occurred, and significant improvement in speech perception was achieved. This novel approach is suitable for patients with FN aberrations.

CT and MRI for the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula: a study of 17 surgically confirmed patients.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the usefulness of CT and MRI for the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula (PLF) of the round (RW) and/or oval (OW) windows, with surgery as gold standard. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 17 patients who presented a surgically confirmed PLF of the round (RW) or oval (OW) windows. All patients were imaged by CT + MRI (T2W SSFP without contrast) prior to surgery (= gold standard). Two radiologists, analyzed the RW and OW on the side of the clinical symptoms and sensitivity (Se) + Specificity (Sp) were calculated. RESULTS: Round window fistula was the most frequent (71%). The best sign of PLF on imaging was a fluid filling of the window niches, which had good Se (83-100% for RW, 66-83% for OW) and Sp (60% for RW, 91-100% for OW). Disorientation of the footplate and pneumolabyrinth were also only observed in 50% of OW PLF. CONCLUSION: The combination of CT and MRI is a reliable tool for a fast and accurate diagnosis of round and oval window perilymphatic fistula, with good sensitivity (> 80%). The most common sign of PLF on imaging is the presence of a fluid-filling in the RW (especially if > 2/3 of the RW niche) or in the OW niches on both CT and MRI. A disorientation of the footplate or the presence of a pneumolabyrinth are clearly in favor of an oval window perilymphatic fistula.

Surgical Outcomes on Hearing and Vestibular Symptoms in Barotraumatic Perilymphatic Fistula.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze surgical results on hearing and vestibular symptoms in patients with barotraumatic perilymphatic fistula (PLF) according to diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A total of 39 patients (41 ears) who underwent surgery on suspicion of barotraumatic PLF from January 2005 to December 2017 were included. Pure tone audiometry and videonystagmography (VNG) recording for spontaneous nystagmus and positional tests were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week and 1 month. Surgical outcomes were analyzed based on hearing results, subjective dizziness, and change of nystagmus. RESULTS: Preoperative hearing level was 75.5 ±â€Š28.7 dB for definite PLF and 88.5 ±â€Š22.8 dB for probable PLF, and levels were not significantly different between groups. Preoperatively, subjective dizziness was present in 18 (94.7%) and 19 (95%) in each group. Among 39 patients, 24 had VNG recordings. Positional nystagmus was recorded in 87.5% (7/8) and 87.5% (14/16) of the definite and probable PLF groups, respectively. Postoperatively, hearing was improved in 65% (13/20 ears) of definite PLF and 61.9% (13/21 ears) of probable PLF. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Hearing gain was significantly correlated with the time interval between symptom onset and surgical timing. Subjective dizziness was improved immediately after surgical repair in 97.4% (17/18) of definite PLF patients and 100% (19/19) of probable PLF patients. Even though dizziness was improved in most patients, some had persistent positional nystagmus and recurrent dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical sealing of both windows in suspected barotraumatic PLF is an effective treatment to improve hearing and subjective dizziness.

Two cases of Tullio phenomenon in which oval and round window reinforcement surgery was effective.

AIM: To report the effect of oval and round window reinforcement surgery performed in two patients with the Tullio phenomenon. Case 1: A male with bilateral superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Downbeat nystagmus with leftward horizontal eye movement was recorded in an electronystagmogram using a pure-tone sound of 110dB at 2000 or 4000Hz in the right ear. Case 2: A female who had undergone stapes surgery. Computed tomography revealed an ossicular prosthesis in the vestibule. An audiogram indicated mild to moderate hearing impairment in the right ear. Leftward horizontal nystagmus was recorded in an electronystagmogram using a pure-tone sound of 110dB at 500 or 1000Hz in the right ear. Surgical findings indicated that the prosthesis was inserted deep into the oval window, which was closed with thin connective tissue. OUTCOMES: After oval and round window reinforcement surgery was performed in the right ear, and loud, pure-tone sounds elicited neither nystagmus nor dizziness in either patient.

Surgical Management for Dysplastic or Congenitally Absent Oval Window.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical findings and hearing results for patient's undergoing the described surgical approach for congenitally absent or dysplastic oval window (OW). STUDY DESIGN: The Institutional Review Board approved retrospective review of patients with conductive hearing loss (CHL) operated on from 1992 to 2016. SETTING: Academic tertiary center. PATIENTS: Patients with CHL, an intact tympanic membrane (TM), and without history of chronic infection underwent middle ear exploration. Eleven patients and 13 ears underwent an oval window drill-out (OWD) procedure. INTERVENTION: Eleven patients presented, all with dysplastic or congenitally absent oval window (CAOW). CHL was identified using audiometry and tuning forks, many patients also had preoperative computed tomography temporal bones. A transcanal approach was used and an OWD was performed with a variety of prostheses placed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Audiometric studies before and after intervention were compared with 12 month and long-term follow-up (1-22 yr). RESULTS: Preoperative air-bone gaps ranged from 40 to 60 dB and averaged 55.1 dB. Postoperative air-bone gaps ranged from 0 to 60 dB and averaged 24.1 dB. The preoperative pure-tone average (PTA) ranged from 55 to 99 dB and averaged 71.3 dB. Postoperative PTA ranged from 21 to 108 dB and averaged 49.6 dB. CONCLUSION: Dysplastic and CAOW are uncommon congenital major ear anomalies. OWD is a viable treatment option, though careful counseling is critical, as significant complications are possible, especially with facial nerve (FN) abnormalities. This series demonstrates successful closure of the air-bone gap for many patients with this technique.

The malleus to oval window revision stapedotomy: Efficacy and longitudinal study outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the longitudinal effectiveness of the malleus to oval window stapedotomy technique among patients undergoing revision surgery when the incus is unavailable. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, case series. METHODS: Charts of 15 patients who underwent 17 malleus attachment stapedotomies performed by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed. Surgery was ambulatory, transcanal, with laser technique, and under local anesthesia. RESULTS: Of 17 stapedotomies performed, there were nine first revisions, six second revisions, one third revision, and one fourth revision. There were no surgical complications. Mean preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 32.3 dB. Mean postoperative ABG at 6 months was 10.7 dB, and at last follow-up was 16.3 dB. Average length of follow-up was 36.5 months. At last follow-up, 100% of first revisions achieved ABG ≤ 20 dB (77.8% ≤ 10 dB), compared to 50% of second revisions with ABG ≤ 20 dB (none ≤ 10 dB), and 0% of third or fourth revisions with ABG ≤ 20 dB. Trend lines for second and third/fourth revisions showed a deterioration (widening) in postoperative ABG by 0.18 and 0.72 dB per month, respectively. The first-revision trend line, conversely, showed negligible change with time, demonstrating the superior durability of first revisions compared to subsequent surgeries. CONCLUSION: The malleus to oval window stapedotomy technique is more effective and longer lasting in first-revision surgery compared to subsequent procedures. Standard or implantable amplification devices may be preferable for patients with multiple prior procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:461-467, 2018.

Imaging Criteria to Predict Surgical Difficulties During Stapes Surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stapes surgery for otosclerosis can be challenging if access to the oval window niche is restricted. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the computed tomographic (CT) scan in the evaluation of anatomical distances, and to analyze its reliability in predicting surgical technical difficulties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 96 patients (101 ears) were enrolled in a prospective study between 2012 and May 2015. During surgery, we evaluated the distance D1 between the stapes and the facial nerve, distance D2 between the promontory and the facial nerve after ablation of the superstructure, and the intraoperative discomfort of the surgeon. On preoperative CT scans, we measured the width and depth of the oval window niche, and the angle formed by two axes starting from the center-point of the footplate, the first tangential to the superior wall of the promontory, and the second tangential to the inferior wall of the fallopian canal. RESULTS: Intraoperative distances D1 and D2 were correlated with the width of the oval window and with the facial-promontory angle measured on imaging. CT scan measurements of the facial-promontory angle and width of the oval window were associated with the degree of discomfort of the surgeon. The cut-off threshold for intraoperative subjective discomfort was computed as 1.1 mm for the width of the oval window niche, with a sensibility of 71% and a specificity of 84%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative imaging analysis of the oval window width and the facialpromontory angle can predict operative difficulty in otosclerosis surgery.

Round and Oval Window Anatomic Variability: Its Implication for the Vibroplasty Technique.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the anatomical variability of round and oval window regions and its relationship with their closest structures, to determine its implication on the fitting and stabilization of the middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge. METHODS: Variations of the anatomy of round and oval window regions were assessed in a total of 85 human dissected temporal bones. Afterward, we evaluated the adaptation and subsequent stabilization of the floating mass transducer (FMT) of the Vibrant Soundbridge in 67 cases in round window (RW) and in 22 cases in oval window (OW), and the influence that the variability of the different anatomical features examined had on this stabilization. We also assessed access and surgeon's view of the RW niche through the facial recess approach. RESULTS: Stabilization of the FMT in the RW was achieved in 53 (79%) of the 67 cases; we found that the less favorable anatomical conditions for stabilization were: membrane smaller than 1.5 mm, presence of a high jugular bulb and a narrow or very narrow RW niche. Frequently, two or more of these conditions happened simultaneously. In seven cases (22%) access to the RW through facial recess approach did not allow positioning the FMT in place. OW stabilization succeeded in 18 (82%) of the 22 cases. CONCLUSION: Round and oval window vibroplasty are difficult surgical techniques. To place the FMT directly on the OW may be easier as we do not have to drill the niche. In both regions there are some anatomical conditions that hinder fitting the FMT and even make it impossible. Once fitted, the main problem is to achieve good stabilization of the device.

Congenital oval or round window malformations in children: Surgical findings and results in 17 cases.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To prospectively evaluate surgical findings and hearing results in children undergoing surgery for congenital oval or round window malformations (class IV malformations). STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized, nonblinded, case series of prospectively collected data. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive pediatric patients who underwent 17 surgical procedures for congenital oval or round window malformations in a tertiary referral center were included. Postoperative pure-tone audiometry was available in 15 cases. The surgical technique for repair of the ossicular chain was dictated by the surgical findings at the time of surgery. The majority of the cases underwent ossiculoplasty using a Teflon piston, bucket-handle prosthesis, or total ossicular replacement prosthesis. Associated surgical techniques included malleus relocation and oval window drill-out procedure. The main outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative hearing status using four-frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) audiometry. Air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, and air-bone gap were measured. Postoperative audiometry was performed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery and at a yearly interval thereafter. RESULTS: Postoperative air-bone gap closure to 10 dB or less was achieved in 47%. A postoperative air-bone gap closure to within 20 dB or less was achieved in 60%. Postoperative sensorineural hearing loss did not occur in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Middle ear surgery for class IV abnormalities is feasible, but success percentages are much lower compared to other types of congenital ossicular malformations. Surgeons should be particularly careful in case of facial nerve abnormalities on computed tomography or during middle ear exploration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2552-2558, 2016.

Congenital malformation of the oval window: experience of radiologic diagnosis and surgical technique.

The aim of this study was to introduce and discuss the method of preoperative radiological diagnosis to the congenital absence or atresia of the oval window (OW), and the method of surgical treatment. From July 2010 through August 2014, patients with normal external canal and tympanic membrane but conductive hearing loss underwent high resolution CT scan (HRCT). The multi-planar reformation (MPR), a post-processing protocol, was used. The patients with diagnosis of OW atresia and malformed stapes preoperatively underwent surgical treatment. The vestibular drilled-out and promontory drilled-out technique was used to reconstruct the ossicular chain. In the preoperative radiological diagnosis, six patients (ears) were noted to have congenital absence or atresia of the oval window with malformed facial nerve (class 4) and two patients (ears) were found to have footplate fixation (class 2). In the surgical treatment of eight ears, the malformed structure was identified and the ossicular chain reconstruction was made in six ears. The coronal HRCT CT imaging and the MPR post-processing technique can provide us practical and definite information for surgical treatment, especially in the discrimination of OW atresia and the fixed stapedal footplate. The promontory drill-out technique, fenestration in the bottom of the basal turn, provides us a new method in the hearing reconstruction when the area of OW was fully covered by malformed facial nerve. This technique was first reported in the literature.

Bonebridge Implantation for Conductive Hearing Loss in a Patient with Oval Window Atresia.

The occurrence of oval window atresia is a rare anomaly with conductive hearing loss. Traditional atresia surgeries involve challenging surgical techniques with risks of irreversible inner ear damage. Recent reports on Bonebridge (Medel, Innsbruck, Austria), a novel implantable bone conduction hearing aid system, assert that the device is safe and effective for conductive hearing loss. We present a case of Bonebridge implantation in an eight-year-old girl with bilateral oval window atresia.

[About the surgical treatment of vestibular window abnormalities].

The objective of the present study was to develop the sparing strategy for the surgical treatment of the patients presenting with malformations of the vestibular window based on the results of the evaluation of synopty of the main clues of the internal and middle ears. This article contains the analysis of the effectiveness of the surgical treatment of 17 patients with malformations of the vestibular window operated during the period from 2008 till 2013. It presents the results of investigations into the topographic relationships between the principal structures of the internal and middle ears of special importance for the assessment of the possibilities for the surgical treatment of such patients with the minimal risk of development of postoperative complications. The results of the surgical treatment were estimated based on the data of audiological studies in the early and late postoperative periods. It was shown that none of the patients developed the symptoms of dizziness, unstable gait or sensorineural impairment of hearing in the immediate postoperative period. Good functional results in the form of the reduced bone-air interval (15.2±1.0 dB) were achieved in 13 patients. Nevertheless, the considerable decrease in the sound conductivity in the late postoperative period observed in 64.7% of the patients related to the closure of the vestibular fistula dictates the necessity of developing the novel techniques for its prevention.

Long-Term Results of TORP-Vibroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing long-term results of patients treated with total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP)-vibroplasty. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of five patients (two women, three men; mean age, 66 yr) were eligible for evaluation after an average follow-up period of 5.1 years after TORP-vibroplasty. INTERVENTIONS: Implantation of an active middle ear device in conjunction with a titanium coupler for oval window placement in patients with chronic middle ear disease with missing stapes suprastructure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Audiometric outcomes and satisfaction of the patients. RESULTS: The functional gain was 45.2 and 45.6 dB HL at 6 months and 5.1 years after implantation, respectively. The speech recognition using the Freiburg monosyllabic word test and speech intelligibility showed postoperatively a distinct improvement and revealed no statistically significant change across time for the entire follow-up period. According to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids questionnaire, the patients stated considerable subjective benefits and satisfaction with the device. CONCLUSION: The good outcomes of TORP-vibroplasty in chronic disabled ears are stable. They provide long-term and long-lasting satisfying audiologic results combined with a high satisfaction of the patient. Prerequisite is the stable attachment to the cochlear windows.

Round and oval window reinforcement for the treatment of hyperacusis.

PURPOSE: To present the outcomes of two patients (three ears) with hyperacusis treated with round and oval window reinforcement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transcanal placement of temporalis fascia on the round window membrane and stapes footplate was performed. Loudness discomfort level testing was performed. Results of pre and post-operative hyperacusis questionnaires and audiometric testing were reviewed. RESULTS: Two patients (three ears) underwent surgery. Results from the hyperacusis questionnaire improved by 21 and 13 points, respectively. Except for a mild loss in the high frequencies, no change in hearing was noted post-operatively. Both patients reported no negative effects from surgery, marked improvement in ability to tolerate noise, and would recommend the procedure to others. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Round and oval window reinforcement is a minimally invasive option for treating hyperacusis when usual medical therapies fail. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure in reducing noise intolerance.

Perilymphatic fistulas: can we predict the diagnosis?

This study intends to identify factors that could better predict the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula (PLF) since exploration surgery is currently the only confirmatory method. This retrospective chart review in a tertiary care center is based on all 71 available patient files operated for a suspicion of PLF between 1983 and 2012. History of predisposing factors, clinical findings and investigations were documented pre- and postoperatively. Patients were divided according to intraoperative findings into two groups: group I (fistula negative) and group II (fistula positive). In addition, group II was divided into two subgroups: patients with or without a history of stapedectomy. Both groups were demographically similar. With the exception of history of previous partial stapedectomy (p = 0.04), no statistical difference could be identified in predisposing factors and in clinical findings between the two groups. The evolution of symptoms showed an overall improvement of vestibular symptoms (91 %) and cochlear symptoms (53 %) postoperatively. Audiograms showed a significant improvement postoperatively in the pure tone audiometry and bone conduction threshold of group II while the air-bone gap and speech discrimination score did not improve. Group I did not show any significant improvement postoperatively in any audiogram parameter. This study failed to identify factors that could better predict the diagnosis of PLF. However, it shows that middle ear exploration with oval and round window obliteration is effective in PLF especially to decrease vestibular symptoms even when fistula is unidentified intraoperatively.

Vestibulotomy with ossiculoplasty versus round window vibroplasty procedure in children with oval window aplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To review the surgical procedures and outcomes in children with bilateral oval window aplasia (OWA). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Children suffering from OWA between 1990 and 2010. INTERVENTION: Vestibulotomy with ossiculoplasty (V-OPL) or round window vibroplasty (RWV). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings at radiology and surgery, preoperative and postoperative bone conduction (BC), air conduction (AC), and RWV-air conduction (RWV-AC) thresholds and speech discrimination scores (SDSs). RESULTS: Among 23 children, 11 underwent V-OPL and 8 RWV. Four children in the V-OPL group had aborted surgery and were excluded from the study. In all the remaining 19 children, the 6-month follow-up time showed postoperative AC and SDS values significantly better than the preoperative thresholds in both groups. At the 36-month long-term follow-up, AC and SDS were stable in the RWV group but showed a significant worsening in the V-OPL children compared with the 6-month follow-up results. Preoperative versus postoperative BC values showed a significant difference between the 2 groups at 36 months; 5 of the V-OPL group underwent revision following the same surgical principles, which did not result in improved outcome. CONCLUSION: In children with OWA, V-OPL provides modest long-term results and carries higher risks of BC degradation compared to RWV. Both procedures are technically challenging but considering the respective hearing results and morbidity of primary and revision surgery, we have abandoned the V-OPL procedure in favor of RWV. In infants and children younger than 5 years with OWA previously not considered candidates for hearing restoration, we consider RWV as the first-choice surgery. It has shown to provide significantly better hearing outcomes than traditional atresia surgery with minimal complication rate.

Oval and round window vibroplasty: a comparison of hearing results, risks and failures.

The aim of this study was to compare oval and round window vibroplasty. Eighteen (18) patients implanted with Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) were enrolled. Two groups were formed depending on FMT placement: on round window in ten cases (RW group) and on oval window in eight (OW group). Pre and postoperative audiological tests were performed both under headphones and free-field settings, VSB on and off. One (1) RW patient experienced sudden hearing loss at the operated side after 4 months from surgery and was excluded from the analysis. Both groups showed good hearing results. Significant differences were measured at free-field pure-tone test with VSB on at 0.5 kHz (RW better than OW, p = 0.026) and 4 kHz (OW better than RW, p = 0.043). Both techniques share similar good results and are considered safe. However, we had one failure with deep and sudden hearing threshold worsening after some months of good results. From a surgical point of view OW vibroplasty is easier and safer to perform, when the stapes suprastructure is absent, as it does not require any drilling and should be preferred in such cases. More reports are needed to explain if RW vibroplasty is risky in a mid to long term.