Surgical removal of vestibular schwannoma causes acute vestibular symptoms, including postoperative vertigo and oscilopsia due to nystagmus. In general, the dominant symptom postoperatively is vertigo. Preoperative chemical vestibular ablation can reduce vestibular symptoms postoperatively.

Surgical removal of vestibular schwannoma causes acute vestibular symptoms, including postoperative vertigo and oscilopsia due to nystagmus. In general, the dominant symptom postoperatively is vertigo. Preoperative chemical vestibular ablation can reduce vestibular symptoms postoperatively. We used 1.0 ml of 40 mg/ml nonbuffered gentamicin in three intratympanic installations over 2 days, 2 months preoperatively in 10 patients. Reduction of vestibular function was measured by the head impulse test and the caloric test. Reduction of vestibular function was found in all gentamicin patient groups. After gentamicin vestibular ablation, patients underwent home vestibular exercising for two months. The control group consisted of 10 patients who underwent only home vestibular training two months preoperatively. Postoperative rate of recovery and vertigo in both groups were evaluated with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI) and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaires, as well as survey of visual symptoms by specific questionnaire developed by us.

Inclusion Criteria:

• clinical diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma
• hearing loss on affected side
• preserved vestibular reactivity of labyrinths on the affected side

Exclusion Criteria:

• allergy to gentamicin
• vestibular areflexia on the affected side