The Healing Of The External Cochlear Wall In The Guinea Pig After Mechanical Injury

Abstract

The bony and vascular repair process of the cochlea was studied after mechanical lesions on the external cochlear wall in the guinea pig. Bony healing of the bulla and the cochlear wall occurred surprisingly rapidly. Intracochlear hemorrhage appeared to be controlled by reflex closure of the supplying vessels. In those cases where the external membranous wall was dented it soon assumed its normal position. In some cases there was labyrinthitis or fibrosis of the intracochlear structures. However, most frequently all cochlear elements appeared to heal except for a gap remaining in the vascular pattern of the external wall and an increasing degeneration of the organ of Corti with time lapse postoperatively. The present investigation reveals a surprising ability of the guinea pig cochlea to heal after mechanical injury.