Long-Term Postoperative Results Following Selective Section of the Vestibular Nerve in Ménière' Disease

Abstract

A material, consisting of 15 patients, who had preoperatively suffered from severe bouts of vertigo, and from tinnitus and loss of hearing, was investigated from 3 to 7 years after selective vestibular nerve section in Ménière' disease. Vertigo bouts disappeared in all patients; tinnitus improved in 73%, and remained unchanged in 27%. In 80% there was no change as regards hearing, and in 20% it deteriorated. This demonstrated that a selective nerve section gives better long-term results than other operative methods. Moreover, it indicates that although the operation may not bring about a cure, in most cases it will prevent the disease from progressing.