Use of gentamicin and dexamethasone protects hearing and vertigo control in Meniere's disease

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a single-institutional, prospective, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial from 2016-2020. Direct application of gentamicin-soaked Gelfoam was made to the oval window after middle ear exploration. On the round window, dexamethasone-soaked Gelfoam was applied in the gentamicin with the dexamethasone group (GD group, n = 18). Saline-soaked Gelfoam was used in the gentamicin with a sham reagent group (GO group, n = 19). The hearing change was investigated eight weeks after the procedure, and vertigo control 2–12 months after the process.

Key findings include:

• The high-frequency hearing threshold was significantly increased in the GO group (p = 0.005 and 0.012 for 4 and 8 kHz, respectively) but not in the GD group.
• The short-term (2–6 months) vertigo control was more successful in the GD group (57.89% vs. 94.44%), but the long-term management (6–12 months) was insignificant.

"The combined application of dexamethasone and gentamicin in chemical labyrinthectomy is an effective method for protecting high-frequency hearing and vertigo control," the researchers conclude.

Reference:

"Simultaneous Intratympanic Use of Gentamicin and Dexamethasone in Meniere's Disease: Randomized Controlled Study" was presented at the AAO-HNSF 2022 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.