title: A double-blind, randomized, prospective trial of a topical antiseptic versus a topical antibiotic in the treatment of otorrhoea.
abstract: The clinical efficacy was assessed of a topical antiseptic (aluminium acetate) and a topical antibiotic (gentamicin sulphate) for the initial treatment of otorrhoea. Evidence of resistant organisms developing to either treatments after 9 and 21 days was also examined. 139 affected ears were entered into the trial and of these, 102 (74%) completed the study. Improvement in the otorrhoea occurred in 68% of ears treated with gentamicin and 67% of ears treated with aluminium acetate, with no significant difference between the two treatments. No resistant organisms to aluminium acetate were encountered. Twelve gentamicin-treated ears had gentamicin-resistant organisms at presentation and one patient developed a gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas during treatment. We therefore recommend a topical antiseptic such as aluminium acetate rather than a topical antibiotic in the initial treatment of otorrhoea on the grounds of cost, avoidance of resistance and toxicity.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary, West Yorkshire.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Rivron
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D005839:Gentamicins; C013396:aluminum acetate