[Sudden hearing loss complicating general surgery: report of a case and review of the literature].

A case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following abdominal surgery is reported. In addition, all cases of sudden hearing loss following general surgery found in the literature are re-examined. This analysis indicates that either this pathology is extremely rare (only 15 cases have been reported in the literature, plus the present case) or, more likely, that little attention is paid to the relationship between general surgery and sudden hearing loss. In the author's opinion a causal relationship between the two events is highly unlikely. He analyzes the possible pathogenic mechanisms and indicates that other cases should be promptly reported so that greater insight into this pathology can be obtained.