Meniett device for Ménière's disease: use and compliance at 3 to 5 years

To review the continued use of the Meniett device 2 and 3 years after the device's initial prescription.

Retrospective case series.

Tertiary referral center.

Patients fitting American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria for Ménière's disease who had failed conventional medical therapy between February 2002 and April 2004 and who were ready for surgical intervention.

Patients used the Meniett device as a nonsurgical alternative for Ménière's management.

Continued use or non-use of the device.

Twenty-three patients were prescribed and obtained the Meniett device in the study interval. At 2 years of minimum follow-up, there were 21 evaluable patients. Eleven patients (52%) continued to use the device and have good control of vertiginous symptoms at 2+ years. Four patients (19%) were asymptomatic at 1 year and discontinued the use of the device. Six patients (29%) had no impact on their Ménière's symptoms and stopped using the device within the first 3 months. At 3 years of minimum follow-up, there were 19 evaluable patients; of whom, 63% were either using the device or had become asymptomatic. No complications were attributable to the device.

We conclude that the Meniett device is a useful minimally invasive alternative in the management of Ménière's disease. Among these patients who had failed previous medical management, 71% and 63% required no additional intervention beyond the Meniett device at a minimum of 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Most patients who failed to gain benefit did so early on in therapy.