Deafness after Topical Neomycin Wound Irrigation

Abstract

PROFOUND loss of hearing after the intravenous or intramuscular use of neomycin was reported shortly after the initial clinical introduction of the drug.1 The impairment of hearing caused by extended oral administration and colonic irrigation has been reported more recently.2 3 4 Currently, there is a trend toward the use of "topical" antibiotic solutions in the local treatment of infected or granulating wounds. One antibiotic considered for these "topical" purposes has been neomycin.5 One specific technic is to treat osteomyelitic wounds with antibiotic solution by intermittent irrigation through surgically placed polyethylene catheters.6 This report describes the apparent absorption potential of granulating wounds . . .