Canal Based Surgery in Neurotology

Canal Based Surgery in Neurotology
John Rutka

The evolution of labyrinthine destructive procedures to functional labyrinthine preservation surgery involving canal occlusion is discussed from labyrinthectomy to posterior/superior canal occlusion for BPPV and SCDS to partial labyrinthectomy for access to the petrous apex/cerebellopontine angle for treatment of brainstem/vascular lesions. Functional labyrinthine surgery has allowed patients to maintain their hearing and significant degrees of vestibular activity. This is nicely demonstrated in the postoperative cochleovestibular testing of patients who have had canal occlusion procedures and partial labyrinthectomies. Videos demonstrating the surgeries are presented.