Comparison of the Efficacy of Antibiotic-Steroid and Ichthammol Glycerine Wick in Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of steroid antibiotic wick with Ichthammol Glycerol wick in the management of Acute Otitis Externa in terms of tenderness and clearance of discharge/debris.
 Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: ENT Out Patient department of Combined Military Hospital Peshawar and Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, from May to Nov 2018.
 Methodology: A total of 250 patients were included and divided into two groups of 125 each. After necessary suction clearance topical Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (Cipotec-D) wick was placed in auditory canal of group A patients and topical Glycerol/Ichthammol wick was placed in group B. Follow up visits were done on 3rd and 7th day of starting the treatment.
 Results: Group A patients responded better in terms of tenderness (88%) however both groups had similar response in terms of discharge reduction (7.2% vs 6.4%). In terms of efficacy neither of the treatment proved more efficacious compared to the other (p-value 0.058).
 Conclusion: While steroid antibiotic wick is significantly more efficient in terms reducing tenderness, in terms of overall efficacy and discharge reduction Ichthammol/glycerol is equally effective.