Current and historical perspectives on endolymphatic sac surgery.

The 70-year history of the Ear, Nose and Throat School, Bordeaux, is inextricably linked to the achievements of Georges Portmann who pioneered surgery of the endolymphatic sac (ELS) and who contributed to the reputation of the institution. This review comprises three parts: the experiment work of Portmann on the ELS, the research into clinical techniques that has been conducted at the School; and current viewpoints on Meniere's disease. We will also present a summary of the results of a comparison of ELS surgery and neurectomy of the vestibular nerve.