Current status of surgical decompression and drainage procedures upon the endolymphatic system.

At the present time, neither the etiologic factors nor the pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to the development of endolymphatic hydrops or Ménière's disease are known; however, the anatomic-pathologic alterations in the labyrinth that are produced by the disease are well-documented. Undoubtedly, what is not known is responsible for the controversial status and questionable benefit that surgical decompression and drainage procedures have upon the endolymphatic system.