Bone wax prevents nystagmus after labyrinthine fenestration in guinea pigs

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of 3 methods of closure of labyrinthine fenestrations. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: 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. SIGNIFICANCE: 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.