labyrinthotomy

Introduction

surgical incision into the labyrinth

Indications

• unremitting vertigo + hearing loss not corrected with hearing aid
  • Meniere's disease

Procedure

• steroid injection into the labyrinth or perfusion of other vestibuloactive drugs
• equivalent of labyrinthectomy destroying the entire labyrinth
• cochlea is left intact

Complications

• infection
• facial nerve injury
• imbalance

* hearing loss is a known & expected outcome, not a complication

More general terms

• ENT surgery

Additional terms

• labyrinth (inner ear)