Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the long-term efficacy of endolymphatic sac-vein decompression surgery on patients with classic Meniere's disease.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Using the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium criteria, starting stage, functional level, vertigo class, and hearing results were addressed. We studied 68 patients with classic Meniere's disease from a tertiary, private otology-neurotology practice. Patient data were gathered by retrospective chart review, questionnaire, and patient interview. All patients underwent endolymphatic sac-vein decompression with an average follow-up period of 55 months. RESULTS: Median functional level before surgery was level 4, improving to level 2 after surgery. Eighty-one percent of patients showed improvement in functional level, 12% remained stable, and 7% declined. Long-term vertigo control was 47% in class A, 25% in class B, 9% in class C, 3% in class D, and 16% in class F. Twenty percent of patients were in hearing stage I Meniere's disease; 31%, stage II; 44%, stage III; and 5%, stage IV. Eighteen percent of patients showed improvement in hearing class, 64% were stable, and 18% declined.
CONCLUSION: Endolymphatic sac-vein decompression surgery is a safe, nondestructive surgical option for Meniere's disease that offers durable control of vertigo and stabilization of hearing for the majority of symptomatic patients.
SIGNIFICANCE: The beneficial long-term outcome of the endolymphatic sac-vein decompression supports its continued use as a first-line treatment option in intractable Meniere's disease.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.