Oxymetazoline is equivalent to ciprofloxacin in preventing postoperative otorrhea or tympanostomy tube obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and oxymetazoline solutions instilled after tympanostomy tube placement in the prevention of postoperative otorrhea and tube occlusion.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional series.


METHODS
We reviewed all bilateral myringotomy and tube placement operations performed by two full-time attending pediatric otolaryngologists during a 9 month period. Data from 488 patients who underwent surgery for otitis media were collected. Demographic and clinical variables including age, sex, number of tube insertions in the past, previous adenoidectomy, type of effusion present at surgery, and type of drop prescribed postoperatively were recorded. All patients were evaluated in the office 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship of these variables with the occurrence of otorrhea and tube patency. Odds ratios were calculated.


RESULTS
No significant differences in postoperative otorrhea or tube patency were found between ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) and oxymetazoline solutions (Afrin, Visine LR).


CONCLUSIONS
Oxymetazoline and ciprofloxacin solutions are equivalent in the prevention of postoperative otorrhea and tube occlusion after tympanostomy tube placement. The implications for medication cost and potential adverse reactions are discussed.
Kumar
Veena V
VV
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Gaughan
John
J
Isaacson
Glenn
G
Szeremeta
Wasyl
W
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010109:Oxymetazoline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D010109:Oxymetazoline