Important factors for the hearing loss caused by the triple semicircular canal occlusion in guinea pigs.
OBJECTIVE
Dynamic recording of the auditory brainstem response is helpful in verifying harmful procedure(s) to hearing during triple semicircular canal occlusion (TSCO) surgery. The damage to the membranous semicircular labyrinth is the single major contributor to hearing loss caused by TSCO.


BACKGROUND
Posterior semicircular canal occlusion has been recognized as an efficient method of eliminating vertigo without causing a significant hearing impairment. Recently, TSCO has also been explored for its potential to treat vertigo of various causes. In limited animal studies, varied hearing impairments have been documented after TSCO. However, the major factor(s) causing hearing loss in TSCO is/are unclear.


METHODS
Triple semicircular canal occlusion was performed on 36 guinea pigs in total. The cochlear function of the guinea pigs was monitored by observing the auditory brainstem response. The impact of membranous labyrinth damage on hearing was verified by a between-group comparison.


RESULTS
Hearing loss during TSCO was accumulated in every step of semicircular canal manipulation. Generally, perilymph leak was found to cause a slight hearing loss that was predominately recovered during surgery. However, transaction of the membranous labyrinth usually caused a more significant hearing loss that was not recovered during the surgery. In addition, the magnitude of hearing loss seemed to be increased with the elongation of the surgery. However, the hearing can be largely recovered after the surgery even in animals with transaction of the membranous labyrinth.


CONCLUSIONS
Hearing loss caused by TSCO can be greatly reduced by avoiding damage to the membranous labyrinth and by shortening the operation time.
Yin
Shankai
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Yu
Dongzhen
D
Chen
Zhengnong
Z
Cao
Zhenyu
Z
Wang
Jian
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000601:surgery*