Laby vs VNS

Laby is a much less invasive procedure but will also cut out hearing.

VNS is much more invasive (pretty much brain surgery) and can spare hearing

Both pretty much end vertigo symptoms in non-bilateral menieres, but also kill 100% of that ears balance (IE: weeks of recovery time needed). I've never had either but everyone on these forums who have had them seem to have zero regrets

 

There have been a few horror stories about both types of surgeries, but if you are 100% sure it's menieres (and not MAV or something else that cannot be cured with this surgery), then it is certainly a worthwhile final option if nothing else works.

 

Melc,

I had a VNS 22 years ago. At the time there were no internet forums or support groups and I didn't know anyone else with Meniere's. The most information I could find about it was at the library, a few lines in a couple of medical journals. I had only my doctor's advice to go on, and chose what I thought was the best option for me at the time. I don't regret it even though I was diagnosed with Meniere's in the other ear about seven years ago.

As reptile said, VNS spares whatever hearing you may have and a laby will leave you totally deaf in the operated ear. I'm not sure how the laby is performed, but with the VNS a large incision is made around the ear. Mine was in the hairline from the temple to about an inch below my ear, in a C-shape. Then a piece of skull was removed. The vestibular nerve was located and followed to where it entered the brain. The brain has to be lifted and pulled forward slightly to gain access to the place where it will be clipped. There are other approaches where the brain doesn't have to be moved, but the approach I had afforded the surgeon the best access to the nerve and to make sure the entire nerve was severed. If even one fiber of that nerve is intact after the surgery, you will still have vertigo.

Recovery will depend on how long you have had Meniere's and how much damage has already been done in the Meniere's ear. Since I'd had MM for so long and suffered many attacks, my nerve was badly damaged and the other ear had slowly been compensating. I was told to be prepared to wake from the surgery with vertigo that could go on for several days, that I might have to use a wheelchair or at the very least a walker following the surgery. None of that happened because the surgeon discovered the nerve had almost severed itself. I spent one night in ICU, which is protocol and the next day when I got into a regular room, I walked to the bathroom, unassisted, with a nurse by my side.

I had very little hearing left in my MM ear before the VNS, but my doctor told me he thought any hearing is worth saving because you never know what might happen with the other ear, so I chose the VNS over the laby. I still have a tiny bit of hearing in that ear, although the hearing loss is profound and can't be aided.

Not many people who have had a VNS are around here anymore. You may be able find posts with experiences from others by searching the archives.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

 

I have not had either of these procedures but i hve had skull base surgery similar to a vns. If i had no hearing worth saving, i would go with the laby considering it much less risky. In either case,mi would ask the surgeon whether with this procedure, enough would br left to support a cochlear implant if one were needed down the road.

 

With these surgeries, i would find out a lot anout my surgeon, his level,of experience, outcomes etc. Not all surgeons are created equal.