Perilymphatic fistulas

Since 1974, 28 ears have been surgically explored for suspected perilymphatic fistulae. Of the 28 explored ears, 23 were proven to have fistulae. Eighteen of these surgically proven fistulae were from nonsurgical injuries; 5 were poststapedectomy. Mode of injury, patient descriptive data, duration of the fistulae, as well as method and tissue used to correct the leak are examined. The low morbidity of surgically exploring suspected ears with the high percentage of positive findings leads the authors to encourage surgical exploration.