This study aims to explore the long-term efficacy of triple semicircular canal plugging (TSCP) in the treatment of intractable ipsilateral delayed
endolymphatic hydrops (DEH), so as to provide an alternative
therapy for this disease. Forty-eight patients diagnosed with ipsilateral DEH referred to
vertigo clinic of our hospital between Dec. 2010 and Dec. 2017, were included in this study for retrospective analysis. All patients were followed up for 2 years.
Vertigo control and auditory functions were measured and analyzed. Pure tone audiometry, caloric test, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) were performed in two-year follow-up. Forty-five patients who accepted intratympanic
gentamicin (26.7 mg/mL) twice given one week apart were selected as a control group. The total control rate of
vertigo in TSCP group was 97.9% (47/48) in the two-year follow-up, with complete control rate of 83.3% (40/48) and substantial control rate of 14.6% (7/48). The rate of
hearing loss was 22.9% (11/48). The total control rate of
vertigo in intratympanic
gentamicin group was 80.0% (36/45), with complete control rate of 57.8% (26/45) and substantial control rate of 22.2% (10/45), and the rate of
hearing loss was 20.0% (9/45). The
vertigo control rate of TSCP was significantly higher than that of intratympanic
gentamicin (χ2 = 6.01, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference of
hearing loss rate between two groups. (χ2 = 0.12, p > 0.05). TSCP, which can reduce vertiginous symptoms in patients with intractable ipsilateral DEH, represents an effective
therapy for this disorder.