[The practice guideline 'Otitis externa' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of general practice].

The first revision of the practice guideline 'Otitis externa' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners has been published. Data from a clinical trial in primary care clearly show that acid eardrops containing corticosteroids are superior to acid eardrops without corticosteroids. Other minor changes have been made. A KOH test is no longer necessary in general practice. Aluminium acetotartrate eardrops 1.2% are reserved for otitis externa with tympanic membrane perforation.