Long-term results of endolymphatic mastoid shunt surgery in patients with intractable Ménière's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in vertigo and hearing from patients with Ménière's disease managed by endolymphatic mastoid shunt (EMS).

STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from 16 patients were analyzed using 1995 AAO-HNS criteria.

RESULTS: Among 16 patients, six had class A vertigo control two years after treatment, five had class B, one class C, three class D, and one class F. At four years after surgery, seven patients had class A, four class B, three class C, and two class F. The mean functional level before surgery was 4.8 and improved to 2.9 and 2.6 at two years and four years after surgery, respectively. The bone conduction pure-tone averages (four frequencies) were 43.3 before surgery and improved to 33.5 dB HL and 35.5 dB HL at three and six months after surgery, respectively. At two years of follow-up, the hearing level was 38.6 dB HL and was not different from the preoperative hearing level. Two years after surgery, the hearing level gradually decreased and was 42.0 dB HL at five years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION: EMS appears to be beneficial in the short term for the symptomatic patients.