Labyrinthectomy in the elderly.

This study involved elderly patients with Meniere's disease with incapacitating vertigo. Several of these patients underwent surgery for relief of symptoms that was tailored to the individual's general health and degree of physical activity. Factors that might affect postoperative rehabilitation and recovery were considered, including vision, vertebrobasilar ischemia, proprioception (such as neuropathy resulting from diabetes), and basal ganglia disease. The postoperative results of this tailored approach have been completely satisfactory.