Tympanostomy tube placement for intractable Meniere's disease in the elderly.

Background: The treatment of refractory elderly Meniere's disease is a challenge.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of tympanostomy tube placement in elderly patients with Meniere's disease.

Methods: 31 patients over 60 years old with Meniere's disease who had failed medical treatment and underwent tympanostomy tube placement. Vertigo control, hearing level, tinnitus, and ear fullness were recorded and analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results: All patients completed a 6-month follow-up. At 6 months postoperatively,complete control, substantial control and limited control of vertigo were achieved in 10 (32%), 13 (42%), and 6 (19%) patients respectively. Two patients (6%) reported no substantial improvement. Twelve patients completed a 2-year follow-up. At 2 years postoperatively, complete control, substantial control and limited control of vertigo were achieved in 3 (25%), 5 (42%), and 1 (8%) patients respectively. Three (25%) patients showed no significant improvement in vertigo. The majority of patients reported significant improvement in the functional level scale, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, and ear fullness at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions and significance: Tympanostomy tube placement may reduce vertigo attacks and improved the quality of life in elderly patients with Meniere's disease.