To comparative study the clinical effect of endolymphatic sac decompression (ELSD) and vestibular neurectomy (VN) in intractable Meniere's disease (MD). The study included 30 MD intractable patients, 21 of which underwent ELSD and nine of which were treated by VN via retrosigmoid approach. Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 6 years. In 21 patients by ELSD, excellent vertigo control and good control were noted in 11 patients (52.4 %) and 4 patients (19.0 %), partial control in 4 and no control in 2 patients. All the 9 patients by VN, vertigo was excellent control. ELSD can improve hearing and tinnitus, but VN not. VN can achieve much better effect in improving vertigo in intractable MD patients. But relative to ELSD, it has much more disadvantages.
Keywords: Endolymphatic sac decompression; Meniere’s disease; Surgery; Vestibular neurectomy.