title: Pros and Cons of Round Window Vibroplasty in Open Cavities: Audiological, Surgical, and Quality of Life Outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the audiological, surgical, quality of life, and quality of sound outcomes in adults with open cavities implanted with the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) implant using round window (RW) vibroplasty approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otolaryngology department, tertiary referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, all with previous middle ear surgery, underwent RW vibroplasty in an open cavity. Compound action potential thresholds were assessed during surgery. Surgical complications were recorded. Subjective benefit was evaluated using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), and Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI29) tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 42 months (range 12-76). There was no significant change in bone conduction thresholds after surgery. Mean functional gain was 34.3 dB and speech discrimination score at 65 dB significantly improved from 14 to 83%. Extrusion of the wire link was the main surgical complication in four patients. All NCIQ domains improved after surgery. All patients had a positive overall GBI score (mean 35.0). Mean HISQUI29 score was 152.8, on average the quality of sound being defined as "very good."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VSB is an effective method of hearing restoration for adults with open cavities suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss. Intraoperative electrocochleography may be considered of significant help to check the coupling to the inner ear. The high rate of extrusion suggests that middle ear obliteration may be considered in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, "La Paz" University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lassaletta
authors.forename: Miryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calvino
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Cuadrado
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pérez-Mora
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gavilán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001298:Audiology; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000601:surgery*; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome