HISTOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON THE HEALING OF LABYRINTHINE FISTULAS IN MONKEYS

Abstract

Surgical procedures for the relief of deafness due to ankylosis of the stapes have been considered and carried out almost since the pathologic process became recognized. In the latter part of the last century several methods were tried without success, such as removal of a part of the drum, removal of the outer ossicles and manipulation of the stapes in the hope of overcoming the interference with sound conduction. The possibility of restoring hearing by creating a fistula in the bony wall of the labyrinth was also considered, and in 1876 Kessel¹ attempted extraction of the stapes, hoping to obtain in its place a thin movable membrane covering the oval window. Extirpation of the stapes proved to be impracticable because of the technical difficulty in accomplishing the objective, since the crura usually fractured. It was also discouraging because of failure to obtain a lasting improvement in hearing and the danger