Efficacy of perioperative ceftazidime in the surgical treatment of chronic otitis media due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Preliminary report of a prospective, controlled study.

A prospective open and controlled study of perioperative antibiotics was conducted in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). Drug efficacy was found in a subgroup of 26 patients, who were characterized by preoperative aural drainage culturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fourteen of these patients were randomized to receive ceftazidime (cephalosporin) for 5 days at the operation, while 12 had no antibiotic treatment. The occurrence of subsequent aural drainage was compared with the actual clinical and microbiological conditions of the ears 2 months after the operation; statistically significant differences were found in favor of the group treated with ceftazidime. Further studies must define the role of ceftazidime and other antibiotics in the management of patients with COM.