A round window fistula repair is the surgical procedure that is used for perilymph fistulas. It consists of a tissue graft to repair the tear.
The doctor goes in through the ear canal and lifts up the eardrum. Tiny, soft tissue grafts are placed around the base of the stapes (one of the ossicle bones) as well as around the round window.
This procedure takes up to an hour and patients rarely experience pain after waking from the general anesthesia. Depending on the severity of the condition, patients may need to spend one night in the hospital. However, this is not usually the case.
After surgery, patients are required to rest for several days. After a week, they may return to normal activities.
