Effects of endolymphatic sac decompression surgery on vertigo and hearing in patients with bilateral Ménière's disease.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study, which involved a 2-year observation period and a nonsurgical control group, was to determine whether endolymphatic sac decompression surgery (ESDS) has the potential to prevent the progression of vertigo and hearing loss in patients with intractable bilateral Ménière's disease (MD).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case-control study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2008, we subjected 67 patients with intractable bilateral MD to ESDS and local corticosteroid treatment. Another 34 patients with intractable bilateral MD who declined ESDS were treated with the best available medical therapies. All of the patients underwent regular follow-up examinations for at least 2 years.

RESULTS

Vertigo was resolved in 22 of 34 patients in the non-ESDS group and 60 of 67 patients in the ESDS group (p = 0.055, Fisher's exact test). Of the 24 patients in the non-ESDS group and 55 patients in the ESDS group in whom the ipsilateral ear (the treated ear) exhibited worse hearing function than the contralateral ear, the hearing level of the former ear was preserved in 13 and 52 patients, respectively (p = 0.007, Fisher's exact test). Of the 10 patients in the nonsurgical group and 12 patients in the surgical group in whom the ipsilateral ear exhibited better hearing function than the contralateral ear, the hearing level of the former ear was preserved in 2 and 11 patients, respectively (p = 0.035, Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggest that ESDS combined with local corticosteroid treatment can control progressive hearing loss in both ears in patients with bilateral MD at least during the first 2 postoperative years.