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Surgery for Vertigo

Vertigo---a sensation of dizziness and objects around you moving---can result from a number of conditions related to the inner ear or damage to the central nervous system. Depending on the cause of your vertigo, you might require surgery to address your symptoms.

  1. When to Have Surgery

    • Surgery for vertigo might be a last resort when other treatments have failed, or it may be used as a primary treatment. An example of the latter would be to treat a perilymph fistula, where the inner ear fluid leaks, according to the University of California Irvine. Some causes of vertigo, such as a viral infection, cannot be remedied surgically.

    Surgery for Inner Ear Disorders

    • Vestibular, or inner ear, disorders often impact hearing as well as cause vertigo. Many surgeries address hearing issues primarily, but positively impact vertigo, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA).

    Determining the Type of Surgery

    • Surgery for vertigo will depend on the cause, your physical condition, whether or not you have any other medical problems and the surgeon's experiences and preferences for different types of procedures.

    Types of Surgery

    • Depending on the cause, surgery to address vertigo might include patching up the ear to prevent fluid leakage, patching holes in the ear canal, removing a tumor, removing bones, inserting tubes to normalize air pressure, interfering with nerve signals to the brain that cause dizziness and relieving pressure, among others, according to the University of California Irvine and VEDA.

    Considerations

    • Before resorting to surgery or other types of treatment for your dizziness, the University of California Irvine advises being sure of your diagnosis. Seek a doctor experienced in dealing specifically with this issue.

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