A critical comparison of results of endolymphatic subarachnoid shunt and endolymphatic sac incision operations.

Detailed information was obtained by questionnaires, office visits, chart reviews, and telephone calls from 171 of 179 consecutive patients who underwent endolymphatic sac surgery between 1976 and 1986. A comparison of surgical results was made. For patients followed more than 24 months, complete control of vertigo was obtained in 40 of 68 patients (59%) by endolymphatic subarachnoid shunt and in 27 of 60 patients (45%) who underwent a variety of sac incision operations. This difference achieved borderline statistical significance (p less than or equal to 0.057). Profound or total hearing loss occurred in 8 patients (4.3%), 6 of whom had sac mastoid procedures. The percentage of patients indicating an absence of disability improved in both groups dramatically following surgery.