[The treatment of Semont maneuver for 40 patients with posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Semont maneuver for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV).

METHOD: Forty patients with PC-BPPV were treated with Semont maneuver from January to August in 2004.

RESULT: After a single treatment session of Semont maneuver,the symptoms disappeared completely in 32 patients, the first success rate was 80%. Among 19 patients who had only 1 week duration of PC-BPPU, the symptoms disappeared in 16 patients after a single treatment. The symptoms disappeared in 3 patients after twice, 2 patients after 3 times and 1 patient after 4 times of Semont maneuver sessions, the total success rate was 95%. No effectiveness was found 2 patients; PC-BPPU recurred in 5 patients during follow-up and the recurrent rate was 12.5%. it was still effective for another Semont maneuver therapy session.

CONCLUSION: The Semont maneuver therapy is safe and effective for PC-BPPV. Repeated Semont maneuver therapy is still effective for them.