Subjective Visual Vertical Can be an Effective Tool to Evaluate Vestibular Function of Stapedotomy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if the subjective visual vertical/horizontal (SVV/SVH) can be used to evaluate the otolith organ of otosclerosis and stapedotomy.

DESIGN

A total of 19 patients who were diagnosed with otosclerosis and underwent surgical treatment in our hospital were collected. Based on the postoperative vertigo difference, we evaluated the otolith organ function between preoperative and postoperative SVV/SVH degrees between the dizzy and non-dizzy groups.

RESULTS

Patients who complained of dizziness after prosthesis implantation generally have worse SVV and SVH results than those who have no complaint. It is suggested that the vestibule may be perturbed during the stapes implantation, which may disturb functions of the otolith organs that result in postoperative dizziness in patients.

CONCLUSION

SVV/SVH, as an evaluation tool of otolith organ function, can effectively assess the vestibular function of patients with vertigo after stapes implantation.