Lateral semicircular canal plugging: a simple and effective surgical treatment against incapacitating Menière's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To present lateral semicircular canal plugging (LCP) technique and late results dedicated to patients with incapacitating Menière's disease.


METHODS
In a prospective case-controlled baseline study, patients with unilateral incapacitating Menière's disease were treated either by LCP (n = 11) or by vestibular neurotomy (VN) (n = 11). LCP was performed by retro auricular approach, vestibular neurotomy by retro sigmoid approach. According to Menière's disease therapeutic evaluation guidelines, disability and hearing loss were assessed before and after both surgical treatments, with a 2 years followup at least. After LCP, a CT and MRI scan analyse was performed on the inner ear


RESULTS
LCP was effective (A or B class) in 82% of cases (n = 9/11), 91% after VN (n = 10/11). When treatment was effective, 100% of patients regained a normal life after LCP (postoperative functional level I or 2, n = 9/9), versus 50% after VN (n = 5/10). After LCP, postoperative hearing level was unchanged in 82% of cases, n = 9/11 (73% after VN, n = 8/11), and decreased of about 30 dB in 18% (n = 2/11). There was no surgical complication. The endolymph interruption area was well visualized on MRI, allowing determining the optimal plugging area to be as far as possible from the ampulla.


CONCLUSIONS
LCP is a simple and safe new treatment that could be very useful to control vertigo in Menière's disease. Early and late tolerance are excellent. This prospective study will go on to evaluate the potential of this innovating treatment: LCP could be recommended as an alternative to VN or chemical labyrinthectomy, except in case of drop attacks.
Gentine
A
A
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Service d'ORL et CCF, avenue Molière, F-67098 Strasbourg cedex, France.
Martin
E
E
Schultz
P
P
Debry
C
C
Charpiot
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index