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Inner ear barotrauma after stapedectomy in the guinea pig
P J Antonelli1, M Adamczyk, C M Appleton
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0264, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|December 11, 1999
Summary
Scuba diving after stapedectomy is safe. This study found that hyperbaric dives did not negatively impact cochlear function or hair cells in guinea pigs following stapedectomy, suggesting no increased risk of inner ear barotrauma.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Diving Medicine
- Auditory Physiology
Background:
- Stapedectomy is a surgical procedure to improve hearing in cases of otosclerosis.
- The safety of scuba diving post-stapedectomy is debated due to concerns about inner ear barotrauma, such as perilymph fistula.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests many individuals dive without issues after stapedectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cochlear effects of barotrauma, simulating scuba diving conditions, on ears previously treated with stapedectomy.
- To evaluate whether stapedectomy increases susceptibility to inner ear barotrauma.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, controlled study was conducted using Hartley albino guinea pigs.
- Unilateral total stapedectomy was performed, followed by 5 consecutive days of hyperbaric dives starting 3 weeks post-surgery.
- Cochlear function was assessed via electrocochleography (ECoG) and cochlear hair cell counts.
Main Results:
- Auditory thresholds significantly increased after stapedectomy but remained stable thereafter.
- Hyperbaric dives did not cause significant threshold elevation in either operated or control ears.
- While middle ear barotrauma occurred in some ears, no significant threshold shifts were observed; hair cell counts were comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- Stapedectomy does not appear to predispose the inner ear to cochlear damage from diving-related barotrauma in this guinea pig model.
- The findings suggest that scuba diving may be safe for individuals who have undergone stapedectomy.