Sensorineural deafness following routine transurethral resection of the prostate

A man in his 50s presented to a rural Australian emergency department with complete unilateral hearing loss following transurethral resection of the prostate. His hearing impairment progressed from 'muffled hearing' with tinnitus on emergence from anaesthesia, to total sensorineural deafness by day three. His surgery and anaesthesia were uncomplicated and he had remained normotensive throughout. He had no pre-existing auditory disease. He had received 240 mg of intravenous gentamicin intraoperatively for surgical prophylaxis. Renal function was normal. Brain imaging was negative for structural pathology, stroke and circulatory insufficiency. Ear nose and throat advised 7 days of oral corticosteroids, transtympanic dexamethasone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A working diagnosis of gentamicin-induced ototoxicity was applied. Intervention has proven unsuccessful and there is no possibility for rehabilitation. The patient is permanently disabled.