Surgical opening of the endolymphatic sac in Ménière's disease--our experience from 1962-80.

Ten per cent of patients referred to the authors' clinic for vertigo prove to have Ménière's disease, and 93% of these are managed conservatively, leaving less than 1% of the entire population of vertigo patients to undergo an operation for Ménière's disease. Incision of the endolymphatic sac without any shunt is the operation performed by the authors. Results are given for a total of 157 patients and also in a smaller group of 101, all having a follow-up of greater than three years. Vertigo was eliminated or diminished in 78% during the first 12 months after surgery in the former group, and in 67% in the latter group. The procedure was safe and appears effective for intractable vertigo due to Ménière's disease.