A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF THE USE OF SODIUM-BICARBONATE AND HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE EAR DROPS TO CLEAR A BLOCKED TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE

This randomised prospective trial compared the efficacy of sodium bica rbonate and hydrogen peroxide ear drops in clearing a blocked tympanos tomy tube. Tympanostomy tubes, 110 in number, obstructed with blood or inspissated secretions were randomised into treatment and control gro ups Details of the operative procedure were retrospectively collected from the patients notes. The patients were reviewed after 2 weeks for both clinical and tympanometric evidence of clearance of the tube and evidence of complications of the drops. There was no significant thera peutic advantage between the two drops (P > 0.9), but in both treatmen t arms there was a significant therapeutic advantage over a period of observation (P < 0.05 in both groups). Otorrhoea and pain on instillin g the drops occurred with equal incidence in both treatment groups. As obstruction of tympanostomy tubes is a common occurrence which often prompts surgical reventilation, there is great potential for cost savi ngs if conservative treatment can be used effectively The treatments f or obstructed tympanostomy tubes are reviewed and methods of preventio n of this common occurrence are discussed.