[Efficacy analysis of semicircular canal occlusion in controlling vertigo episodes in patients with delayed...

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of triple semicircular canal occlusion （TSCO） in controlling vertigo, its impact on hearing function, and its safety profile in patients with intractable delayed endolymphatic hydrops （DEH）. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 16 patients with intractable DEH who underwent TSCO at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, between June 2020 and June 2025. Vertigo control rate, Dizziness Handicap Inventory （DHI） score, pure-tone average （PTA） threshold, and procedure-related complications were assessed preoperatively and at a minimum follow-up of 6 months postoperatively. Results:The postoperative vertigo control was achieved in all patients, with Class A （complete control） achieved in 81.25% （13/16） of patients and Class B （substantial control） in 18.75% （3/16）. The median postoperative DHI total score decreased significantly from 61.63 to 35.81 postoperatively （P<0.001）. Mean PTA increased from（76.46±12.04）dB preoperatively to（90.51±13.44）dB postoperatively, representing a mean deterioration of 14.05 dB. Preoperatively, 13 patients had an average hearing threshold ≤90 dB, while 3 patients had thresholds >90 dB. Postoperatively, 76.9% （10/13） of patients retained usable hearing （≤90 dB HL）, and no cases exhibited significant hearing loss （>30 dB）. All patients experienced transient dizziness or vertigo following surgery but became ambulatory with or without assistance within 1 to 4 days. No severe complications, such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage, facial paralysis, or infection, were observed. Conclusion:Triple semicircular canal occlusion is an effective and safe function-preserving surgical intervention for intractable DEH. It offers reliable vertigo control and significant improvement in quality of life, with an acceptable risk of hearing deterioration.