The effect of topical ciprofloxacin on postoperative otorrhea after tympanostomy tube insertion

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic ciprofloxacin drops in decreasing the incidence of otorrhea after tympanostomy tube insertion.

Study design: The study design was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary care referral center.

Patients: One hundred fifty-four patients aged 6 months to 14 years undergoing tympanostomy tube insertion participated.

Intervention: For each subject, one ear was randomly assigned to receive topical ciprofloxacin, placed in the middle and external ear after surgery, while the contralateral ear served as a control.

Main outcome measure: Posttympanostomy otorrhea occurring during the period from 24 hours after surgery until 2 weeks after surgery was measured.

Results: Topical ciprofloxacin application after tympanostomy tube insertion was associated with a significantly lower incidence of early posttympanostomy otorrhea. The rates of otorrhea for control and treatment ears were 9.1% and 3.9%, respectively (p = 0.029).

Conclusions: The topical administration of a single dose of ciprofloxacin solution after surgery is an effective treatment for the prevention of early posttympanostomy otorrhea.