What is vestibular neurectomy?

Vestibular neurectomy is one of the surgical treatments for Meniere’s disease (dizzy spells with hearing loss). The following are the characteristics of the procedure: It is performed to cut off the part of the auditory nerve that helps us maintain our balance.

What happens if you cut the vestibular nerve?

Possible Complications Hearing loss may occur, and be mile to profound. Total loss of hearing can occur in 5%. Tinnitus: This usually occurs due to the hearing loss. Facial Nerve injury: This can occur with any ear procedure and is rare.

How is vestibular nerve section performed?

During a vestibular nerve section, your surgeon will cut into the dura mater of the brain and retract the cerebellum to reveal the vestibular nerve. The vestibular nerve fibers are carefully cut while leaving the cochlear fibers intact. Your surgeon will then close the dura mater and incision site.

Can the vestibular nerve be removed?

The vestibular nerve may be sectioned (cut or severed) via the middle fossa, retrolabyrinthine and retrosigmoid approaches, with similar efficacy. Surgical treatment is traditionally felt to be indicated when the patient is incapacitated with unilateral Meniere’s disease and quality of life is affected.

How long does vestibular nerve take to heal?

After the severe symptoms lessen, most patients make a slow, but full recovery over the next several weeks (approximately three weeks). However, some patients can experience balance and dizziness problems that can last for several months.

Is there surgery for Meniere’s disease?

The various surgical procedures for Meniere’s disease include endolymphatic sac surgery, labyrinthectomy, and Vestibular nerve section/vestibular neurectomy. Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that manifests as hearing loss, vertigo, and ringing in the ears.

What nerve does Meniere’s disease affect?

Messages are passed along the hearing nerve to the brain to tell you what you are hearing. The build-up of fluid associated with Meniere’s disease disturbs the hearing nerve endings, causing hearing fluctuation and eventually permanent damage.

How successful is vestibular surgery?

After 2 years success rates of 92.8% compared to 46.4% in the conservative group were reported. After 7 years, the success rate was 81.0% in the surgical group compared to 30% in the control group.

Is vestibular nerve damage permanent?

Severe cases of labyrinthitis can result in permanent damage to the vestibular system and varying degrees of hearing loss. Labyrinthitis can also lead to a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is a type of vertigo that results from sudden movements of the head.

Can vestibular nerve damage be repaired?

The body has limited ability to repair damage to the vestibular organs, although the body can often recover from vestibular injury by having the part of the brain that controls balance recalibrate itself to compensate.