Practical management of recurrent acute otitis media.
Recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) represents a frequent challenge for the primary care physician and a major source of consultation to otolaryngologists. We recommend insertion of ventilation tubes when school performance or speech acquisition is compromised. Chemoprophylaxis with trimethoprim---sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) is still a viable option in other cases, despite the potential development of drug resistance. Other medical treatments are available, including vaccination and steroids. Finally, we have used limited mastoidectomy in carefully selected cases where retention of infected secretions and lack of aeration are implicated.
Bernard
Phillippe A. M.
PA
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Corsten
Martin J.
MJ