Canal Partitioning

Canal partitioning, or canal plugging, is a stabilizing procedure used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which causes dizziness, vertigo and other symptoms because of small crystals of calcium carbonate (otoconia) collecting in the inner ear. Head movement triggers the displaced otoconia to shift, sending false signals to the brain.

It usually is treated successfully without surgery by using in-office BPPV maneuvers. But, this surgical option stops the movement of the endolymph and otoconia in the affected semicircular canal (usually the posterior canal) so it stops sending false signals to the brain. A craniotomy is used to get at the inner ear organs to create a hole in the canal. That hole is then filled with small bone chips and human fibrinogen glue.

Possible bad outcomes include transient or permanent hearing loss, mild but constant imbalance for several weeks and continuing vertigo.