Tenotomy of the tensor tympani and stapedius tendons for Meniere’s diseases

Abstract

Tenotomy of the tensor tympani and stapedial tendons is a relatively unknown option available to an ear surgeon treating intractible Meniere’s disease. This surgical review provides an overview of the surgery’s indication, the surgical technique, as well as a discussion on the hypothesis behind this procedure. An overview of the literature is also provided. With promising results in mainly retrospective studies, prospectively randomized studies have not been published to date. However, in essence, considering the limited data available presently, tenotomy of the stapedial and tensor tympani muscles seems to be a promising option in the surgical treatment of definite Meniere’s disease, with long-term potential and low complication rates. Tenotomy of the tensor tympani and stapedial tendons is a relatively unknown option available to an ear surgeon treating intractible Meniere’s disease. This surgical review provides an overview of the surgery’s indication, the surgical technique, as well as a discussion on the hypothesis behind this procedure. An overview of the literature is also provided. With promising results in mainly retrospective studies, prospectively randomized studies have not been published to date. However, in essence, considering the limited data available presently, tenotomy of the stapedial and tensor tympani muscles seems to be a promising option in the surgical treatment of definite Meniere’s disease, with long-term potential and low complication rates.