Cochleosacculotomy for the treatment of Menière's disease in the elderly patient.

Cochleosacculotomy is a surgical option for the treatment of incapacitating vertigo in elderly patients with Menière's disease. This procedure was performed in nine patients (mean age: 73 years) for control of vertigo and/or drop attacks. The average follow-up period was 29 months. Vertigo was controlled in eight of nine patients, but hearing worsened in all but one patient. No patient developed a transient increase in vertigo in the postoperative period. Cochleosacculotomy should be considered in elderly patients with recurrent vertigo and severe non-fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss who would otherwise be candidates for labyrinthectomy.