Recurrence of an Oval Window Rupture 25 Years After Traumatic Stapediovestibular Luxation Repair: A Case Report of a Novel Cartilage Sealing Technique

Stapediovestibular luxations are often caused by trauma to the external ear canal. Sealing the oval window while leaving the stapes in the vestibule is a safer procedure than stapedectomy, considering the risk of additional inner ear damage, but it risks recurrence. We report a rare case of oval window rupture recurrence 25 years after initial surgery and introduce a new method using cartilage to seal the oval window. A 37-year-old woman experienced a recurrence of oval window rupture after nasal blowing. She had a history of left ear ossicular chain dislocations and oval window rupture caused by an ear pick 25 years earlier, initially treated by sealing the oval window with soft tissues while leaving the depressed stapes in place. In the current surgery, a stapedectomy was performed, the oval window was sealed with cartilage, and an incus columella was placed on the cartilage. Complete resolution of vestibular symptoms and improvement in air conduction thresholds were observed. Postoperatively, no recurrence of oval window rupture was observed. Patients with stapediovestibular luxations face a long-term risk of oval window rupture recurrence if sealed only with soft tissues. Cartilage may offer a promising alternative for oval window sealing after stapedectomy due to its flexibility and durability.