Long-term follow-up after gentamicin application via the Silverstein MicroWick in the treatment of Ménière's disease.

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of gentamicin applied directly to the round window membrane via the Silverstein MicroWick system in patients with definite or probable Ménière's disease. The study population was made up of 69 patients who had received 3 drops of gentamicin 10 mg/ml three times daily; the duration of treatment was guided by objective data obtained from weekly electronystagmography and audiometry. Relief of vertigo was assessed by chart review and telephone interviews. After a minimum follow-up of 24 months, we found that vertiginous symptoms remained controlled in 53 patients (76.8%) after one or more courses of drug therapy. A single course of treatmentwas successful in 41 patients (59.4%). We conclude that long-term control of vertigo can be achieved inpatients with Ménère's disease by direct application of gentamicin to the round window membrane via the Silverstein MicroWick. This minimally invasive self-treatment technique was well tolerated and free of long-term complications.