A prospective study of gentamicin ototoxicity.

Twenty patients were included in a prospective otoneurological study performed to assess the ototoxicity in gentamicin therapy. Gentamicin was administered intravenously, and the serum level was currently determined. Audiographic and electronystagmographic studies were carried out at the institution and discontinuation of the treatment and again a few weeks later. Ten patients exhibited ototoxic actions, predominantly cochlear, 4 of the cases being fully reversible. Two patients developed severe hearing loss, associated in one with bilateral extinction of vestibular function. Low serum levels of gentamicin did not rule out the possiblity of ototoxicity. These results urge the continuing of prospective studies and indicate that gentamicin should be used only as a link in the primary treatment of severe infection or in cases in which other, less toxic agents have failed.