Triple Semicircular Canal Occlusion in the Guinea Pig

Abstract

Hearing preservation is possible with translabyrinthine procedures, but the optimal means of sealing the remaining labyrinth has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mechanical and nonmechanical (CO2 laser-assisted) triple semicircular canal occlusion on hearing in the guinea pig. All three semicircular canals of 19 guinea pigs were treated with one of four techniques: fenestration without packing (control), fenestration with packing, CO2 laser coagulation of the membranous canal without packing, or laser coagulation with packing. Six weeks postoperatively, electrocochleographic thresholds were significantly elevated in one of five ears treated with packing alone, in one of five ears treated with laser and packing, in two of five ears treated with the laser alone, and in all four control ears. Thresholds were significantly elevated in control versus occluded ears ( p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the ears treated with laser or packing. These findings suggest that hearing can be preserved in triple canal occlusion by means of sealing the membranous labyrinth with either CO2 laser coagulation or mechanical packing. Further study on the feasibility of hearing preservation with complete labyrinthectomy is warranted.

Central Nervous System Metabolic Activity after Cochlear Implantation in the Feline Neonatal Model

“…Hearing was tested with click‐evoked electrocochleography as previously described 7 . This was done in all animals after they completed the 18‐day course of aminoglycoside treatment.…”

Recent surgical advances and continued controversies in medically refractory Meniere's disease

“…So-called 'Triple Semicircular Canal Occlusion' www.co-otolaryngology.com (TSCO) exists at the interface between ELS surgery and Labyrinthectomy, attempting to preserve hearing function while ablating the source of vertigo at the level of the semicircular canals. Interestingly, experimental animal models for TSCO were first utilized at our institution in both guinea pigs and felines [55,56] with good success but never proceeded to human study. TSCO has been popularized in the Chinese literature because of its substantial success in vertigo control for refractory Meniere's disease.…”