Value of prophylactic antibiotic ear drops in decreasing post-tympanostomy otorrhea

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic polymyxin B sulfate neomycin sulfate-hydrocortisone drops in decreasing the incidence of post tympanostomy otorrhea, a randomized controlled study from ENT department at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. Ninty-nine patients undergoing tympanostomy tube placement [including those undergoing tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or both] were randomized into three groups. Patients in group [I] received no antibiotic drops group [2], received a single dose intra-operatively, and group [3], received an intraoperative dose followed by a 5-day course. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the incidence of post tympanostomyotorrhea between the control [GI] [16.4%] and treatment groups [G2, 8.3%, G3, 8.1%] [P=.01]. A single dose of antibiotics ear drops was effective when patients with middle ears were dry or had serous effusions. A 5- day course was indicated for those patients whose ears had either mucoid or mucopurulent or purulent contents. Thus, from this randomized controlled study, we conclude that antibiotic ear drops are indicated in all patients. A single dose is as effective as a 5-day course but our data support a longer course in certain subgroups