Dosage regimens of intranasal aerosolized surfactant on otitis media with effusion in an animal model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine optimal dosage regimens of intranasal metered dose aerosolized surfactant with and without other medications in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME).


METHODS
Resolution of experimental OME in gerbils was determined based on otomicroscopy and tympanometry. Experimental intranasal drugs were: surfactant, surfactant with betamethasone, surfactant with phenylephrine, and a normal saline solution placebo. Medications were administered once or twice daily via a metered dose inhaler.


RESULTS
For twice-daily dosing, mean days to OME resolution were 8.5 for the aerosolized surfactant, 6.3 for the surfactant with betamethasone, 18.7 for the surfactant with phenylephrine, and 16 each for control and placebo. Resolution with the once-daily dosage was longer for all conditions. Results were comparable using tympanometry.


CONCLUSIONS
OME resolved faster than the natural course when treated with intranasal surfactant with and without steroids. Twice-daily dosing was statistically superior.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reiterates the effectiveness of OME treatment with an aerosolized synthetic surfactant with and without steroids and establishes a superior twice-daily dosage schedule.
Division of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, 07103-2714, USA.
N
N
Venkatayan
P E
PE
Connelly
A J
AJ
Mautone
Y L
YL
Troublefield
S S
SS
Chandrasekhar
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000379:methods; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005849:Gerbillinae; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000336:Aerosols; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010656:Phenylephrine; D001623:Betamethasone