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Conclusions: Triamcinolone-soaked fascia seems to show better hearing improvement when added to tympanotomy for sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), compared to fascia round window occlusion without triamcinolone., Objectives: To analyse if adding triamcinolone to sealing the round and oval window niches with fascia results in improved audiological outcome for acute SNHL., Methods: Fifty-three patients (27m:43 ± 12 years, 26f:45 ± 14 years) with acute SSHL ≥50dB over 3 frequencies, who failed primary therapy, underwent transcanal tympanotomy. Twenty-five patients (Group A;cortisone:14m, 11f:46 ± 9 years) received sealing of the round and oval window with fascia soaked in triamcinolone (1ml; 40mg/ml) and 28 controls (Group B;no-cortisone:13m, 15f, 42 ± 12 years) without triamcinolone. Frequency specific and pure tone average (PTA =500-1000-2000-3000Hz) results were compared between Group A and B pre- and postoperatively., Results: In Group A the PTA improved by ≥10dB in 21/25(83%) cases; in Group B 18/28(63%). Group A showed a statistically significantly better improvement across all frequencies, while linear regression revealed a significant decrease of posttherapeutic PTA to 94.96% of the initial PTA (p = .037). The overall PTA improved by 24dB. Group A improved from 73dB to 41dB(-32dB) PTA, Group B improved from 76dB to 56dB PTA (-20dB) (p < .05). Group A showed a significant additional decrease of 12.8dB (p < .001).

Conclusion: Tympanotomy with sealing of the round window is a promising surgical alternative as a salvage strategy in younger patients with acute idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and may be considered as an alternative drug delivery method to the round window., Objectives: To analyze the potential benefit of the sealing of the round window with special emphasis on the age of treated patients and the influence of time elapsed between symptom onset and surgery., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 25 patients (13 males,12 females) with an average age of 55 years (range 31-75 years) with sudden SNHL, who underwent an enaural tympanotomy with sealing of the round niche using triamcinolone-soaked fascia. Pre- and postoperative bone conduction thresholds were compared for each frequency and for the pure-tone average (PTA) measured at 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 3 kHZ. The time (days) between primary symptom onset and surgery as well as age was scrutinized. Hearing improvement was described as 'no improvement' (0-9 dB), 'moderate recovery' (10-29 dB), or 'marked recovery' (≥30 dB). The difference in age of patients who improved was compared to those who did not., Results: A statistically significant improvement in PTA values (mean change 20.4 dB) was noted (p = 0.0002). In all, 13/25 (52%) patients exhibited improved bone conduction postoperatively regardless of age and time of treatment. A marked recovery (≥30 dB) could be seen in eight patients (median time to surgery, 9 days; average age, 48.5 years); recovery between 10 and 30 dB in five patients (median time to surgery, 10 days; average age, 46.6 years). Twelve significantly older patients showed no improvement (average time to surgery, 19 days; average age, 61.8 years; p = 0.004). No patient over the age of 65 years showed improvement in bone conduction.

Conclusion: Tenotomy is a promising surgical alternative with a high reduction in dizziness handicap in the short and long term., Objectives: To investigate the immediate and the long-term effect of tenotomy of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles on subjective dizziness as measured by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)., Methods: A retrospective follow-up study of 42 patients with definite, unilateral Meniere's disease (19 males, 23 females, average age = 58.1 ± 14.1 years) had undergone tenotomy under general anesthesia through an endaural approach. Pre- and postoperative DHI values were compared for all patients, with postoperative follow-up ranging from 6 months to 9 years. Additionally, results were divided into three postoperative subgroups (A = 0-3 years, B = 3-6 years, C = 6-9 years)., Results: A statistically significant reduction of 48 DHI points, from a median preoperative DHI = 52 to DHI = 4 postoperatively, was noted (p < 0. 001). In all, 40/42 patients reported a reduction of dizziness handicap, while in 33/42 the difference was > 12 points. A statistically significant reduction of DHI scores was noted (A = 60, B = 34, C = 33) in all subgroups. It was also noted that the higher the preoperative DHI score, the greater the subjective success of the surgery.

Conclusions: Because the presented data reveal an immediate and persistent reduction of vertigo and a clear improvement in hearing function and functional scales, we conclude tenotomy to be effective in unilateral, definite Meniere's disease - laying the foundation for future prospective, randomized controlled trials., Objectives: This study compares the unique long-term results of tenotomy of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in definite Meniere's disease refractory to medical treatment and presents a hypothesis on why tenotomy seems effective., Methods: This was an interventional cohort study. The study sample comprised 30 patients (15 males, 15 females; average age 57 ± 13.1 years) with definite Meniere's disease (AAO-HNS criteria, 1995). Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using pure tone audiometry, AAO-HNS questionnaires regarding vertigo attacks, functional level scores, and tinnitus, and were followed up for 2-9 years. Postoperative values were calculated for the patient collective as a whole and consequently divided into three equal postoperative terms of 3 years each., Results: A statistically significant improvement of inner ear hearing levels postoperatively (p = 0.041) and a major reduction in vertigo attacks in all groups (p < 0.001) with complete absence of attacks in 26/30 patients was noted. Results remained constant up to 9 years postoperatively. Although tinnitus persisted, the intensity was lower overall (p = 0.013).