Treatment of labyrinthine fistula.

This cholesteatoma series comprises 84 ears, 81 of which had a labyrinthine fistula and 3 a horizontal semicircular canal opening that arose as a surgical complication. In 49 ears (58.3%), the operation was a primary one; in 35 ears (41.7%), it was a revision. Of all ears, 21 (25%) were deaf preoperatively. The fistula was located in the horizontal canal in 76 ears (90.4%). The matrix was removed in all these ears, and the fistula was covered with fibrin glue and fascia or periosteum. Hearing was preserved in all 57 ears in which matrix removal was carried out as the planned last stage. These included three ears in which the membranous canal was cut deliberately. Surgery that was performed against established rules caused deafness in three ears. Accidental opening of the horizontal canal caused no sensorineural loss in two ears as the fistulas were sealed immediately, while one ear in which the opening was not immediately recognized became deaf.