Evaluation of topical povidone-iodine in chronic suppurative otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if povidone-iodine (PVP-I) can be used topically in the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media-tubotympanic disease and to compare it with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride ear drops.


METHODS
Prospective double-blind randomized study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Forty patients with chronic suppurative otitis media were randomized into 2 groups.


METHODS
One group (19 patients) received 5% PVP-I ear drops, while the other group (21 patients) received 0.3% ciprofloxacin ear drops. Both were administered topically, 3 drops 3 times daily for 10 days. These patients were followed up at weekly intervals for up to 4 weeks after commencing therapy.


RESULTS
Clinical improvement at the end of study was 88% in the PVP-I group and 90% in the ciprofloxacin group. The most commonly isolated organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro resistance to ciprofloxacin was seen in 17% of organisms, while no resistance was seen for PVP-I.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of PVP-I as a topical agent in the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media. The results show that clinically, topical PVP-I is as effective as topical ciprofloxacin, with a superior advantage of having no in vitro drug resistance. Also, there is an added benefit of reduced cost of therapy.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
C
C
Jaya
Anand
A
Job
Elizabeth
E
Mathai
B
B
Antonisamy
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; C474742:ciprofloxacin, hydrocortisone drug combination; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D006854:Hydrocortisone