Management of labyrinthine fistulas in cholesteatoma

Surgical management of labyrinthine fistulas caused by cholesteatoma remains controversial. In 213 patients with middle ear surgery for cholesteatoma, 18 patients (18 ears-8.5%) presented a labyrinthine fistula. These cases are reviewed in the present paper. Symptoms, audiometry, pre-operative imaging, surgical procedure and results are discussed. In all cases total removal of the pathology was pursued with preservation of cochlear function. A two-stage closed technique was used. During the first stage reconstruction with tympano-ossicular allografts, according to the technique of J. Marquet, was performed. A second look followed one year later. Three ears were deaf pre-operatively. Improvement of bone conduction was observed in more than 50% and hearing preservation in all other cases but one. In one ear total deafness occurred from extensive intralabyrinthine invasion by cholesteatoma, demanding a labyrinthectomy. The hearing was preserved in four cases in which an amputation of a large part of the membranous labyrinth could be observed. Since neither pre-operative clinical examination nor imaging can be relied on to reveal a fistula, the surgeon needs to be prepared for unexpected fistulas.