Surgical techniques and functional evaluation for vestibular lesions in the mouse: unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN).

Both UL and UVN procedures can routinely be performed in the mouse with similar post-operative recovery and behavioural compensation. The operative risk of vascular or neurological damage is smaller in UL compared to UVN. UVN may be required for specific research protocols studying central cellular process specifically related to the destruction of the ganglion of Scarpa and following vestibular nerve degeneration.