RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, methicillin resistent Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infecton in persistent otorrhea is on the increase. Beside the systemic side effects of vancomycin, systemic vancomycin injection needs admission and higher medical cost. We used vancomycin topically in the treatment of otorrhea by MRSA infection to minimize the disadvantages of systemic vancomycin injection. The objective of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects between topical and systemic use of vancomycin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with persistent otorrhea were performed ordinary culture and sensitivity test. Among them, 18 patients were proved to have MRSA and they were divided into two groups. One group was treated with topical vancomycin packing, the other with systemic injection. RESULTS: MRSA was cultured in 18 cases (72%) among the 25 patients with persistent otorrhea. Therapeutic effects of topical vancomycin on MRSA infection was 77% and the average therapeutic period was 13.5 days. On the other hand, therapeutic effect was 100% and the average period was 5.6 days in systemic vancomycin injection group. CONCLUSION: Topical vancomycin packing in the treament of chronic otitis media with MRSA infection has advantages in view of time and economy, though the average therapeutic period is longer than that of systemic vancomycin injection.