Endolymphatic duct blockage: quality of life assessment of a novel surgical technique for M,niSre disease

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients treated by endolymphatic duct blockage (EDB) for M,niSre's disease with a dedicated questionnaire. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study which included 54 patients diagnosed with severe, refractory M,niSre's disease according to the AAO-HNS criteria and treated with EDB between 2010 and 2013. Answers to the first 38 questions have assigned scores from 0 to 4 (0 corresponding to the poorest QOL). A preoperative score called S1 was calculated as follows: S1 = sum of preoperative question scores/maximum possible preoperative score x100. The same formula was used to calculate the postoperative score S2. The change in QOL score, S3, was then calculated (S3 = S2-S1). All answers were analyzed anonymously. Statistical analysis was done using Student t test and Chi square test. A response rate of 89 % was obtained with the M,niSre's disease outcome questionnaire. The preoperative (S1) score was 21.4 (+/- 12.6) and the postoperative score (S2) was 64.6 (+/- 21.6) with a change in QOL (S3) of 43.3 (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, 89.9 % reported no M,niSre's attacks (p < 0.001). Seventy-nine percent (15/19) of the questions showed a significant improvement after surgery. These results show that EDB is associated with a significant improvement of the QOL of patients suffering from severe M,niSre's disease.