title: The effects of spinal anesthesia on auditory function in pediatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Persistent or transient hearing loss (HL) is a less-recognized complication of spinal anesthesia (SA) in the pediatric population, although it has been previously reported in adults. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SA on auditory function in the pediatric population.
  
  
  METHODS
  After gaining institutional approval and parental consent, 30 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II children between 4 and 15 years undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. Spinal blocks were performed in the midline with a 25G Quincke needle using 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests were administered before surgery and one-day postoperative. Children with detected HL were retested on postoperative day seven. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared. A Wilcoxin Signed-Ranks test (with Bonferroni correction) was used for statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant HL in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period. In 29 of 30 patients, no difference was detected at any frequency tested. In one patient, TEOAE and DPOAE tests were found to be decreased on postoperative day one. In this patient, control tests were found to be improved on postoperative day seven.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of SA may results in a low probability of transient hearing loss with no clinical significance in children 4-15 years of age.
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Otolaryngology, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: baharkeles@gmail.com.
authors: Bahar
authors: B
authors: Colpan
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: drsezaapili@gmail.com.
authors: Seza
authors: S
authors: Apiliogullari
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Otolaryngology, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: dromerdur@yahoo.com.
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Erdur
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: jalecelik@hotmail.com.
authors: Jale Bengi
authors: JB
authors: Celik
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: dumanates@yahoo.com.
authors: Ates
authors: A
authors: Duman
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Orthopedics, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: senaran@selcuk.edu.tr.
authors: Hakan
authors: H
authors: Senaran
authors: Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Otolaryngology, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: kayhanozturk@selcuk.edu.tr.
authors: Kayhan
authors: K
authors: Ozturk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine
keywords: Child; Hearing loss; Otoacoustic emissions; Spinal anesthesia