An alternative to regular dressings for otitis externa and chronic supperative otitis media?

Otitis externa and chronic otitis media often present to the otolaryngologist with a discharging ear. The conventional method of treatment is to perform regular aural toilet and insert medicated dressings into the external auditory canal. This treatment is either performed by trained nurses or medical staff, but in either case is time consuming. This study compares the efficacy of the above standard regimen with a novel treatment where a single aural toilet is carried out and medicated ointment instilled into the ear. Both regimens were evaluated at three weeks. Our results shows that there was no significant difference between the two treatment regimens with regard to the resolution of either of the conditions studied or the improvement in the symptom status of the patients. On the basis of this it would seem that a single aural toilet and instillation of medicated ointment is a valid treatment option, cuts down hospital attendance and could be performed in the community by general medical practitioners or trained practice nurses.