Long-term results of endolymphatic sac surgery

Abstract

Endolymphatic sac surgery for Meniere's disease was criticized by Thomsen et al. in 1981 using a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They concluded that the effect of endolymphatic sac surgery was placebo. However, Welling et al. pointed out recently that Thomsen et al. used an inappropriate statistical analysis in that paper, and re-evaluated the effect of endolymphatic sac surgery in 2000. In order to reevaluate endolymphatic sac surgery, we studied the long-term results of vertigo and hearing after endolymphatic sac surgery. Endolymphatic sac surgery controlled vertigo in 70-80% of patients. Concerning hearing endolymphatic sac surgery maintained the preoperative hearing level to at least 6 years after surgery; however, the hearing level deteriorated gradually after 7 years, likely to return to the "natural history" of Meniere's disease. It was concluded that endolymphatic sac surgery was effective in controlling vertigo and maintaining the hearing level, and that it did not have a placebo effect.