Douglas E Mattox1, Mary Reichert. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. douglas.mattox@emoryhealthcare.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the continued use of the Meniett device 2 and 3 years after the device's initial prescription. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: 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. INTERVENTION: Patients used the Meniett device as a nonsurgical alternative for Ménière's management. OUTCOME MEASURES: Continued use or non-use of the device. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
OBJECTIVE: To review the continued use of the Meniett device 2 and 3 years after the device's initial prescription. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: 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. INTERVENTION: Patients used the Meniett device as a nonsurgical alternative for Ménière's management. OUTCOME MEASURES: Continued use or non-use of the device. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.