The use of fluoroquinolones in chronic otitis suppurativa.

The present review covers fluoroquinolone usage in chronic otitis suppurativa (COS) in case of chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, radical mastoid cavity infection and chronic or relapsing otitis externa. A total of six publications were included in the final evaluation. Enoxacin was effective in 35%; ciprofloxacin (five publications) was used in 82 patients with 67% effectivity in otitis externa and otitis media and 61% effectivity in radical mastoid cavity infection. No serious adverse reactions were reported. The promising efficacy of otitis media and otitis externa and safety profile needs further confirmation in double blind prospective clinical studies, that will provide a firm basis for changing the current treatment schedules of COS.