Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy of endolymphatic sac decompression combined with triple semicircular canal plugging for the treatment of vertigo symptoms in refractory Meniere's disease and the postoperative effects on balance function and quality of life. Methods Twenty-six patients with refractory Meniere's disease were enrolled to undergo endolymphatic sac decompression combined with triple semicircular canal plugging. The pre-and post-operative vertigo control, balance, hearing, Dizziness Handicap Inventory(DHI),Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI) and tinnitus pain level of patients were analyzed. Results The vertigo improved significantly in 26 patients after surgery, and the rate of complete control of vertigo was 88.46%, with an effective rate of 100%. The postoperative sensation of balance instability was improved in an average of (5.08±4.52) months, and all of them had no risk of falling. The incidence of postoperative nystagmus was 69.23%, and the symptoms disappeared in about (5.00±2.67) days. The Burg score and visual analogue scale score revealed that the patients' balance gradually recovered as the postoperative time was prolonged. The DHI score indicated that the patients' quality of life gradually improved as the postoperative time was prolonged and stabilized at 6 months after surgery. In addition, the mean hearing threshold was slightly higher in 26 patients at 6 months postoperatively compared with that preoperatively, but not statistically significant. THI scores and tinnitus pain level were decreased at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion This study showed good control of vertigo with endolymphatic sac decompression combined with triple semicircular canal plugging, significant improvement in postoperative quality of life, and some effect on subjective balance, which returned to normal after about 5 months.

Key words: Meniere's disease, semicircular canal obstruction, endolymphatic sac decompression, vertigo