Endolymphatic sac surgery for Meniere's disease: a composite study of 339 cases.

This paper analyzes 339 consecutively performed endolymphatic mastoid sac shunts. Regardless of the method used, vertigo was controlled and hearing either improved or stabilized in approximately 70% of the cases. Overall, vertigo was controlled in approximately 80% of the cases. Similar results were obtained in cases of Meniere's syndrome and vestibular Meniere's disease. It is suggested here that, regardless of the method employed, there remains a high likelihood that the symptoms will recur, and the question is raised as to whether sac surgery may merely induce a temporary remission of the disease process. Consequently, it is hereby proposed that there is a need to devise a method to permanently drain the endolymph in order to more effectively control the disease on a permanent basis. Until this is achieved, however, sac surgery would appear to be the most appropriate surgical treatment for Meniere's disease.