Continuous intratympanic infusion of gentamicin via a microcatheter in Meniere's disease

Between 1995 and 1998, 11 patients with disabling Meniere's disease were tr eated at our institution with a continuous gentamicin infusion into the mid dle ear via a microcatheter. The patients had frequent attacks of vertigo a nd vomiting (functional levels 3-5). Hearing threshold on the affected side was significantly worse than on the healthy side (stage 4+5). Gentamicin w as applied by a high-precision insulin pump with a flow rate of 40 mg per d ay directly in front of the round window, Application was stopped as soon a s signs of vestibular affection appeared. A good overall control of vertigi nous spells was achieved in 8 patients. Eight patients experienced complete hearing loss on the affected side, 1 experienced a slight worsening, and 1 had no hearing change, There was no correlation between the cumulative gen tamicin dosage and the hearing loss. Our findings show that in terms of hea ring loss and hospitalization time the continuous gentamicin application is inferior to other applications presented in the literature.