Vestibular Nerve Section for Ménière's Disease

In vestibular nerve section for Ménière's disease, the nerve that controls hearing and balance on the affected side is identified. Then the balance portion of that nerve is cut, leaving the part of the nerve that controls hearing intact. The part of the nerve that controls hearing is close to the part that controls balance, so there is a risk of hearing loss in the affected ear.

During the recovery period, the brain adapts to the lack of input from the ear that was operated on, and normal balance sense usually returns. Other symptoms of Ménière's disease, such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and fullness in the ear, are not helped by this surgery. You may need to stay on a low-sodium diet and take diuretics.

This procedure requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay.

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