Endolymphatic duct blockage for Ménière's disease: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial

Treatment for Ménière's disease remains a subject of debate. A surgical technique in which the endolymphatic duct is blocked was proposed as a new treatment modality for patients with intractable Ménière's disease, but a double-blind trial was lacking. Therefore, the aim of this double-blind trial was to assess whether EDB is more effective than ESD in patients with intractable Ménière's disease.

Await full results publication and effect-size data before adopting endolymphatic duct blockage; findings from this RCT may eventually shift surgical management of Ménière's disease, but no practice change is warranted until the complete trial data are reviewed.

A double-blind RCT of surgical intervention for Ménière's disease is rare and could provide the highest-quality evidence yet on whether endolymphatic duct blockage meaningfully reduces vertigo and hearing loss, potentially reshaping surgical guidelines.

1. 01Double-blind RCT design minimises bias — a notably rigorous standard for inner-ear surgery trials.
2. 02Target condition is Ménière's disease, characterised by episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus.
3. 03Intervention is endolymphatic duct blockage, a surgical procedure aimed at reducing abnormal inner-ear fluid pressure.
4. 04Published in Lancet Regional Health Europe, a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal.
5. 05Results could directly inform surgical decision-making guidelines for refractory Ménière's disease.

PMID

42436934

DOI

10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101765.

Journal

Lancet Regional Health – Europe

Publication type

clinical_trial

Evidence level

1b

Population

Patients with Ménière's disease

Intervention

Endolymphatic duct blockage (surgical)

Comparator

Sham or control surgical procedure (double-blind design implies active comparator or sham)