Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a series of eight singular neurectomies.
CONCLUSIONS
The singular neurectomy as described by Gacek in 1974 is an efficient procedure to control symptoms in case of intractable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), with an acceptable risk of postoperative sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). We postulate that this complication may not be a direct consequence of the surgical procedure but rather may be consecutive to the reactivation of the biological phenomenon that caused the BPPV. We also observed in one patient that BPPV may exist although no nystagmus can be elicited by provocative manoeuvres.


OBJECTIVE
To report our experience of the surgery, and to analyse the rate and causes of complications.


METHODS
The eight patients operated in the department between August 1997 and April 2006 were evaluated in June 2006. One had been operated because he had a typical history of BPPV, but no nystagmus could be elicited by the Hallpike's manoeuvre.


RESULTS
All patients were free of vertigo and considered their quality of life improved. The Hallpike's manoeuvre was negative in all cases. A SNHL occurred in two patients, immediately after surgery in one and several months later in the second. The patient with a negative Hallpike's manoeuvre before surgery went back to work 3 weeks after surgery.
Pournaras
Irene
I
Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Kos
Izabel
I
Guyot
Jean-Philippe
JP
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D038781:Otoscopy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D054776:Semicircular Ducts / Q000294:innervation*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000601:surgery; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D020338:Vestibular Neuronitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery