Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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We reviewed 36 patients with gentamicin vestibulotoxicity to determine its relationship to gentamicin dosage, serum gentamicin levels, and the development of gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Thirty of the patients had received intravenous or intramuscular gentamicin; six had received intraperitoneal gentamicin. Sixteen of the 30 patients treated with intramuscular or intravenous gentamicin had received less than the recommended maximum dose of 5 mg/kg/day for less than the recommended maximum period of 10 days. ⋯ Gentamicin vestibulotoxicity was not recognized before discharge from hospital in 32 of the 36 patients. We conclude that as far as the vestibular system is concerned there is no safe gentamicin dose and no safe serum gentamicin level, and there is an increased risk of vestibulotoxicity in patients in whom nephrotoxicity develops. Physicians who use gentamicin should become more aware of the clinical features of vestibulotoxicity because stopping gentamicin as soon as symptoms of vestibulotoxicity appear could prevent permanent impairment of vestibular function.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Nov 1994
Intraoperative monitoring of the visual evoked potential during endoscopic sinus surgery.
Iatrogenic blindness resulting from conventional and endoscopic sinus surgery continues to be a major concern to the head and neck surgeon. A new electrophysiologic monitoring technique has been developed that can help avoid damage to the optic nerve and visual system. The approach involves monitoring the visual evoked potential with presentation of flash stimuli to the eyes. ⋯ Visual evoked potential monitoring may prevent a surgeon from continuing a bilateral procedure when there is indication of iatrogenic visual loss from dissection on the first side. Visual evoked potential also reassures the operator that no damage has occurred to the visual pathway at the conclusion of a case. Methods, case selection, operative technique, and documentation of monitoring will be discussed.