Lateral semicircular canal plugging in severe Ménière's disease: a clinical prospective study about 28 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of the plugging of the lateral semicircular canal to control vertigo in severe Ménière's disease (MD).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective follow-up study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty-eight patients with MD with refractory vertigo and severe disability (functional scale 5 or 6).

INTERVENTIONS

Lateral canal plugging was performed in pathological ear for each patient.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The evaluation of therapy followed the guidelines for diagnosis and evaluation of therapy in MD (1995). Hearing, frequency of vertigo, and functional disability were assessed in the early follow-up (6 mo) for all the patients and in the late follow-up (2 yr) for 16 patients. In addition, the canal paresis was evaluated by caloric test.

RESULTS

No vital complication occurred. The hearing was preserved in 82% of cases. Lateral canal plugging induced in all cases a canal paresis that was persistent after 2 years. After 2 years (n = 16), the control of vertigo was complete or substantial in 75% of cases (A1, restoration of a normal life: 62.5%; B2, no functional restriction: 12.5%).

CONCLUSION

Lateral canal plugging is a safe procedure that induces a canal paresis and allows a good control of vertigo. In view of these results, the lateral canal plugging should be a therapeutic option for controlling rotatory vertigo in severe MD.