Triple Semicircular Canal Plugging versus Labyrinthectomy for Meniere Disease: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe study goals were to compare the long‐term efficacy of semicircular canal plugging (SCP) with labyrinthectomy in the treatment of advanced Meniere's disease (MD).Study DesignA retrospective study.SettingSingle tertiary medical center.MethodsA total of 116 MD patients (TSCP group of 90; labyrinthectomy group of 26) with complete medical documents in Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, from March 2017 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including a battery of auditory and vestibular function tests, recovery time from imbalance and function level scores (FLS).ResultsThe total control rate of vertigo in the TSCP group was 96.7% (87/90). The rate of hearing loss was 23.3% (21/90). The control rate of vertigo in the labyrinthectomy group was 100% (26/26). All patients lost their auditory function after labyrinthectomy with a 100% hearing loss rate. There was no significant difference in the vertigo control rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). The hearing loss rate in the TSCP group was significantly lower than that in the labyrinthectomy group (P < 0.00). The median time recovered from imbalance was 15 days in TSCP group and 21 days in labyrinthectomy group, which is significantly different (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the FLS between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsCompared to labyrinthectomy, TSCP can preserve hearing at a high probability; meanwhile, otolith organ function preservation benefits patients from faster vestibular compensation.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 133:3178–3184, 2023