Tinnitus Outcome in Surgery for Vertigo

The effect of surgery for vertigo on tinnitus was evaluated in 90 patients who underwent surgery for disabling vertigo for Menieres disease. The three procedures studies included a destructive labyrinthectomy, endolymphatic sac decompression and shunt, and vestibular neurectomy. Patients who underwent a vestibular neurectomy had a significantly better tinnitus outcome than those who underwent shunt surgery (50% vs 22.7%). The labyrinthectomy and the neurectomy groups showed an equal positive response of 50%. The severity of the preoperative hearing loss did not correlate with the tinnitus outcome in all groups. Patients who have serviceable hearing and require surgery for disabling vertigo appear to have a better chance of tinnitus control with the vestibular neurectomy rather than an endolymphatic sac decompression and shunt.