A systematic review and meta-analysis published online in PLOS ONE has revealed that triple semicircular canal plugging (TSCP) effectively controls vertigo in patients with Meniere disease (MD), though it carries a risk of hearing loss. The study, led by Jia Quan Zhu of Fengdu General Hospital in Chongqing, China, analyzed data from seven studies involving a total of 367 patients with MD.

The meta-analysis examined various outcomes, including the duration of MD, follow-up times, rates of hearing loss, and vertigo control. The researchers reported that TSCP achieved a 99 percent success rate in controlling vertigo among MD patients. However, the procedure was associated with a hearing loss rate of 22 percent overall.

Subgroup analysis provided further insight into the relationship between disease duration, follow-up time, and outcomes. Patients with a disease duration of more than 12 months experienced a hearing loss rate of 14 percent, compared to 24 percent in those with a duration of less than 12 months. Despite these differences in hearing loss, the corresponding vertigo control rates remained high at 100 percent and 99 percent, respectively. Similarly, studies with follow-up periods exceeding 24 months showed a 23 percent hearing loss rate versus 20 percent in those with shorter follow-up, while vertigo control rates were consistently at 99 percent in both groups.

The authors of the study noted that neither the duration of the disease nor the length of follow-up significantly impacted the rates of hearing loss or the effectiveness of vertigo control. They concluded, “In MD patients who have failed to control the symptoms by conventional treatment or nondestructive surgery such as an endolymphatic capsule, TSCP can not only effectively relieve vertigo, but also preserve residual hearing in most patients.”

The findings highlight the potential of TSCP as a viable surgical option for patients with refractory Meniere disease, while also emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the associated risk of hearing loss. Further research may help refine patient selection and surgical techniques to minimize this risk.

For clinicians and patients alike, this study provides important insights into balancing the benefits of vertigo relief with the risk of hearing impairment when considering TSCP for managing Meniere disease.