[Research concerning the spontaneous course of 135 cases of Menière's disease. Critical study of operative indications (author's transl)].

135 cases of Ménière's disease were observed for five and a half years. Out of 1120 Ent patients, one suffered from Ménière's disease. Out of 1 000 audiogram, 8 involved cases of Ménière's disease. Of 9 cases of non-traumatic vertigo where a vetsibular origin was suspected, I was Ménière's disease. The morbidity was 75 per million. Hearing was stable in 62% of cases, worsened in 15%, improved in 15% whilst in 8% there was total deafness before the onset of vertigo. Vertigo disappeared in 94% of cases. Bilateral Ménière's disease is associated with a particularly unfavourable course with regard to general condition, since the disease would appear to be the consequence of a more deep-seated organic disorder. These figures are exactly the same as those found after vestibular neurectomy. In 98% of cases surgery is useless and hence dangerous.