A dehiscent superior semicircular canal may be plugged and resurfaced via the transmastoid route.

Objective: To evaluate the results obtained in treating superior semicircular canal dehiscence by plugging and resurfacing the defect via the transmastoid approach.

Methods: Six patients (30-70 yr old) who had disabling semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome underwent surgery. Methods: After a wide mastoidectomy and skeletonization of the semicircular canals, a shell of bone covering the middle fossa lateral to the superior semicircular canal was removed. The exposed dura was gently retracted and the canal skeletonized. Bone dust mixed with fibrine glue and bone wax were pressed to plug the dehiscent portion of the canal, and a slice of cortical bone was inserted to resurface it. Methods: Recovery from vestibular and auditory symptoms was evaluated.

Results: No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Patients experienced an immediate relief of symptoms attributable to the dehiscence.

Conclusions: A superior semicircular canal dehiscence may be plugged and resurfaced via the transmastoid approach, thus avoiding the more invasive middle fossa craniotomy.