Pre-habilitation with intratympanic gentamicin in vestibular schwannomas: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo assess whether pre-habilitation with intratympanic gentamicin can accelerate vestibular compensation following vestibular schwannoma resection. MethodsSeventeen studies were retrieved from the databases Medline, PubMed, Frontiers, Cochrane Library, Cambridge Core and ScienceDirect. Eight of the 17 studies met our criteria; the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used. Heterogeneity, risk of bias and effect on post-operative recovery were assessed. ResultsFour of the eight studies showed a statistically positive effect of pre-habilitation with gentamicin on the post-operative recovery process; the remainder also reported benefits, although not statistically significant. No study reported negative effects. Limitations were linked mostly to the limited number of enrolled patients and the outcome assessment methods. ConclusionFifty per cent of the studies found a statistically positive effect of pre-habilitation with gentamicin prior to vestibular schwannoma resection. While the results are promising, due to the limited numbers further prospective studies are required to strengthen the evidence.