Bone wax prevents nystagmus after labyrinthine fenestration in guinea pigs.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the effect of 3 methods of closure of labyrinthine fenestrations.


METHODS
A guinea pig animal model was developed to examine the effect of 3 methods of closure of labyrinthine fenestrations. These methods included bone wax alone, fascia and fibrin glue, and fascia alone. Nystagmus, a reproducible sign of labyrinthine injury, was chosen as an end point for comparing materials commonly used in human ear surgery.


RESULTS
Animals repaired with bone wax showed no postoperative nystagmus, whereas animals repaired with other materials or that underwent canal fenestration without repair showed 3 to 5 days of postoperative nystagmus.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is premature to extrapolate our results to human surgery, postoperative nystagmus can be eliminated in guinea pigs by sealing labyrinthine fenestrations with bone wax.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the intimate relationship between the vestibular and cochlear systems, it is possible that prevention of vestibular irritation might be associated with preservation of cochlear function.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
John M
JM
Brockenbrough
Sam
S
Marzo
Robert
R
Wurster
M Rita I
MR
Young
D000818:Animals; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000293:injuries*; D005276:Fenestration, Labyrinth / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010168:Palmitates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010521:Periosteum / Q000637:transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014885:Waxes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D006490:Hemostatics; D010168:Palmitates; D014885:Waxes; C055480:bone wax