Oval window perilymph fistula caused by accidental stapedectomy during ear toilet

Acquired perilymphatic fistulae can be the result of direct or indirect trauma to the temporal bone, barotraumas, infections or a complication of stapedectomy surgery. We report a case of accidental stapedectomy causing a perilymphatic fistula in an ear with inactive chronic noncholesteatomatous otitis media. This patient had an oval window perilymphatic fistula for 6 weeks prior to surgery without significant permanent sensorineural hearing loss.