Comparative Study of Combined Steroid-Antibiotic Aural Pack versus Antibiotic Drop in Otitis Externa

INTRODUCTIONOtitis externa is an inflammatory condition of the skin of the external auditory canal that is characterized by generalized edema and erythema. It is a very common condition which is encountered in day to day outpatient services in the life of otolaryngologists. So treatment includes not only antibiotics and analgesics systemically but also aural packing for topical application . This study was performed to observe the effectiveness of treatment for relieving pain and edema by comparing steroid–antibiotic aural pack with antbiotic ear drop. METHODSA total of 60 patients were divided into two groups where one group was given steroid –antibiotic pack and the other group was given antibiotic ear drop. NRS was used to assess the pain and edema was assessed by otorhinolarygologists on subsequent visits. Patients were called every 48 hours for assessment. We also assessed the need for second line antibiotic in both group of patients. Statistical analysis was done using “Z” test of mean to compare average number of score and visits in two different groups. RESULTSPatients belonging to the steroid-antibiotic pack group had early subsidence of edema and lesser number of visits as compared to only antibiotic group. Also pain was relieved early in less number of visits in the antibiotic-steroid pack group as compared to only antibiotic group. Also need of second line of antibiotic was also statistically significant in steroid-antibiotic pack group as compared to antibiotic drop group. Age and gender were analyzed and there was no significant differences in these factors on comparison between the two groups. CONCLUSIONAs control of pain and edema is more and hence the number of visits is significantly less in steroid–antibiotic packing group, so it is therefore suggested to use steroid–antibiotic pack for effective treatment of acute otitis externa.