Endolymphatic sac valve implant surgery. I: The technique.
A resurgence of interest in surgery on the endolymphatic sac (ELS), not only for relief of vertigo but also for stabilization or improvement of hearing, has emerged. With the concept of operating early in the course of the disease after the diagnosis is well established, various modifications of existing procedures on the ELS have been utilized in an attempt to improve the overall results. One such major modification is the unidirectional inner ear valve implant modified from the eye valve for glaucoma. This valve implant has produced impressive one-year results for both hearing improvements and relief of vertigo in patients who were scheduled for labyrinthectomy. Subsequent preliminary reports by several investigators show good to excellent results for the hearing (AAOO--Class B or A) as well as the vertigo without consideration for the stage of the disease. This study presents primarily the step by step technique with drawings and a color atlas to facilitate the correct performance of this surgery.
D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000601:surgery*; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D008722:Methods; D014717:Vertigo / Q000601:surgery