Sudhakar Rao M. S, Malige Rajkamal, Bharadwaj
BACKGROUND Acute otitis externa is a common clinical condition seen in ENT out-patient clinic. It presents with ear pain, itching, otorrhoea, oedema or a stuffy feeling in the ear and can be localized or diffused inflammation of external auditory canal. A habit of ear pricking, swimming are the common causes for the acute otitis externa. The aim and objective of this study is to emphasizes on the comparative efficacy of local antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of Mupirocin wick and Magsulph-Glycerine wick without systemic drug therapy on an out-patient basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective study of 60 patients attending the out-patient clinic of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, VIMS, Bellary, between the age group of 5 years to 65 years, clinically diagnosed as acute otitis externa. They are randomly selected and divided into two equal groups. In group-I, patients are treated by placing Mupirocin wick in the external auditory canal and compares the outcome with group-II patients who are treated by placing Magsulph-glycerine wick. The clinical outcome is assessed on 3rd, 7th and 10th days using the Wong-Baker faces Rating Scale], 0-10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale, questionnaire and clinical examination. RESULTS The statistical results showed that the patients in group-II [Magsulph-Glycerine wick] were relieved from the signs and symptoms early as compared to delayed recovery in group-I [Mupirocin wick]. CONCLUSION Local treatment of acute otitis externa without systemic drug therapy with Mupirocin wick and Magsulph-Glycerine wick is equally effective except for the difference in the duration of recovery.
