THE USE OF ANTIBIOTIC STEROID EAR DROPS TO REDUCE POSTOPERATIVE OTORRHEA AND BLOCKAGE OF VENTILATION TUBES - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

This prospective randomized study investigates whether the use of anti biotic/steroid ear drops (Betnesol-N) is effective in reducing early p ost-operative otorrhoea and blockage of ventilation tubes (VTs). The s tudy included 162 children who had bilateral VT insertion and used Bet nesol-N ear drops in one ear only for three days after surgery, the ot her ear was left as control. These children were reviewed two weeks la ter and their ears were examined for VT patency, presence of blood or of mucopus. Statistical analysis of our results showed that the use of Betnesol-N ear drops has significantly reduced the incidence of post- operative otorrhoea within two weeks of VTs insertion (p<0.01). Howeve r, these drops did not have a significant effect on the blockage rates of VTs with dried blood (p>0.05).