Long-term Clinical Observation Of Modified Chemical Labyrinthectomy For Treatment Of Intractable Meniere's Disease

ObjectiveTo observe the long-term efficacy of modified chemical labyrinthectomy in the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease(MD)by filling the tympanum with gentamicin-gelatin sponge.MethodClinical data of 22 patients with intractable MD was retrospectively reviewed.All patientsfailed the preoperative regular conservative treatment.Their main symptoms are frequent episodes of vertigo with moderate-severe hearing loss or above.All of them were treated with modified chemical labyrinthectomy(intratympanic gentamicin-gelatin sponge).Postoperative diagnosis and evaluation of curative effects are according to standard of diagnoses gist and curative effect classification for MD advanced by Chinese Otolaryngology Research Team in 2006.Results 17 of 22 patients meet the requirements of more than 2 years of follow-up,vertigo evaluation forclass A(complete control)was achieved in 88.2%,hearing evaluation for class D(worse)was achieved in 11.8%after the first operation(some got two or more surgeries).The other 5 patients observed for 10 months to 22 months,all got vertigo completely controlled and one had hearing significantly improved,the rest had no hearing obviously changed.Few postoperatives of the 22 patients had mild complications,1 patients experienced transient tinnitus aggravating,and 5 got transient dizziness and instability.All patients had no tympanic membrane perforation.Conclusion Modified chemical labyrinthectomy is effective to control vertigo caused by MD,and has mildly hearing impairment.So this new therapy is an effective and safe method for intractable Meniere' s disease.