Preoperative swabs for the treatment of draining ears after middle ear surgery.

The value of a preoperative swab for the treatment of postoperative infection after middle ear surgery was investigated. In a selected group of 80 patients with postoperative infection a preoperative swab was available, and the variability was analysed for each species. The well-known pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus and Escherichia coli showed good correlation between pre- and postoperative swabs. In contrast to this all other species found in preoperative swabs were of little value postoperatively. This observation is important for the treatment of infection after middle ear surgery, and should be considered if prophylactic antibiotics are planned.