FACTORS INFLUENCING RESULTS WITH STREPTOMYCIN PERFUSION OF THE LABYRINTH

Streptomycin perfusion of the labyrinth is the logical choice of treat ment for the third stage of Meniere's disease with intractable vertigo . The results of streptomycin perfusion of the labyrinth are comparabl e to those of other treatments, including endolymphatic shunt and vest ibular nerve section. Refinements must be made in the process of selec ting candidates for the operation. To study the factors influencing th e results of streptomycin perfusion of the labyrinth, 144 patients who had streptomycin perfusion of the labyrinth and were followed for 1 y ear were studied using the 1972 AAOO classification of results. The fi ndings of this study indicate that only a low dosage of streptomycin a nd a small volume of perfusate are required to obtain good results. Pa tients who have long lasting severe endolymphatic hydrops with poor he aring preoperatively are less likely to achieve good results.