Non-ampullary plugging of the posterior semicircular canal for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common condition which is usually self-limiting. Surgical treatment is rarely required and for many years the mainstay of such treatment has been singular neurectomy (posterior ampullary nerve section). A new operation has recently been described for the treatment of BPPV involving occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal. We have performed this operation on five patients with intractable BPPV and report our results with follow up of between 12 and 36 months from operation. The excellent results of posterior semicircular canal occlusion which have been previously reported in the literature are confirmed by our experience. In our opinion the operation is a safe and effective alternative to singular neurectomy.