Preventative effect of various fluids used in the epitympanic bulla on deterioration of cochlear function during labyrinthectomy.

CONCLUSION

Preventing leakage of endolymph during vestibular destruction may be important in the acute phase.

OBJECTIVES

Vestibulotomy causes significant decrease in the endocochlear potential (EP). The effect of artificial perilymph and distilled water administration during vestibulotomy on hearing preservation was evaluated in Hartley guinea pigs.

METHODS

Animals were divided into three groups: the epitympanic bulla was filled with artificial perilymph or distilled water, or was not filled with any solution (control group). The EP and [K(+)] were monitored using double-barrelled ion-selective microelectrodes in the second turn of the cochlea.

RESULTS

EP was not significantly different between the artificial perilymph and the distilled water groups, although both groups showed better preservation of EP compared with the control group. The [K(+)] was not significantly different between the three groups.