Transtympanic gentamicin treatment using Silverstein MicroWick in Ménière's disease patients: long term outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long term outcome of gentamicin inner-ear perfusion using the Silverstein MicroWick in the treatment of Ménière's disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective questionnaire survey of patients and review of medical records.

SETTING: A district general hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: All 15 patients who completed a minimum follow up of at least 24 months were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective symptoms, change in hearing thresholds and Glasgow benefit inventory scores.

RESULTS: Based on the American Association of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (1995) guidelines for reporting, 80 per cent of respondents obtained class A vertigo control and 20 per cent obtained class B control. Respondents' functional level improved from pre-operative levels of between three and six to post-operative levels of between one and three. Three respondents had pre-operative 'dead ears' and one developed the condition post-operatively. Hearing deteriorated further in three respondents, improved in two and remained unchanged in the rest. Respondents with class A control demonstrated improved quality of life, with a mean Glasgow benefit inventory total score of +34.

CONCLUSION: Transtympanic gentamicin therapy via the Silverstein MicroWick results in good vertigo control. Patients should however be made fully aware of the risk of hearing deterioration.