Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique
Published on: May 23, 2021
Long-term outcome of children undergoing surgery for suspected perilymph fistula
R J Sim1, A H Jardine, E J Beckenham
1Department of Otolaryngology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK. ricsim@otol.freeserve.co.uk
Insights
Exploratory surgery for suspected perilymph fistula in children did not prevent long-term hearing loss. Hearing continued to deteriorate in both operated and non-operated ears over time.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Audiology
Background:
- Perilymph fistula (PLF) is a potential cause of hearing loss in children.
- Previous studies suggested short-term benefits of surgical repair for PLF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term hearing outcomes in children who underwent surgery for suspected perilymph fistula.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of audiological data from 35 children.
- Comparison of pre-operative hearing levels with data ranging from 2 to 15 years post-surgery.
- Assessment of hearing changes at six months and long-term follow-up.
Main Results:
- No significant short-term hearing improvement was observed at six months post-surgery.
- A statistically significant progression of hearing loss occurred in both operated and non-operated ears over the long term.
- Surgical exploration did not halt the natural progression of hearing deterioration.
Conclusions:
- Exploratory surgery for suspected perilymph fistula in children does not prevent long-term hearing loss progression.
- The findings challenge the efficacy of surgical intervention for suspected PLF in altering the long-term hearing trajectory.
Unlabelled:
A number of authors have suggested that surgery for suspected perilymph fistula is effective in preventing deterioration of hearing and in improving hearing in some cases in the short term. We present long-term hearing outcome data from 35 children who underwent exploration for presumed perilymph fistula at The Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia, between 1985 and 1992.
Methods:
The pre-operative audiological data (mean of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz results) were compared with the most recently available data (range two to 15 years) and the six-month post-operative data.
Results:
The short-term results showed no significant change in hearing at six months, with a subsequent, statistically significant progression of hearing loss in both operated and non-operated ears (Wilcoxon signed rank test: operated ear, p < 0.017; non-operated ear, p < 0.009).
Conclusion:
In this case series, exploratory surgery for correction of suspected perilymph fistula did not prevent progression of long-term hearing loss.
