[Otorrhea on transtympanic aerator].

BACKGROUND

Purulent otorrhea is the most common complication of tympanostomy tubes.

POPULATION AND METHODS

Results of culture of otorrhea in 33 consecutive cases were compared to two similar studies performed 4 and 8 years ago in the same institution.

RESULTS

The most frequent organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae (45, 24, 21 and 15% of the cases, respectively). Such flora resembles that of external otitis and chronic otitis media (P aeruginosa and S pneumoniae).

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity of the organisms encountered in these otorrheas favors the use of topical drops rather than oral antibiotics as the first choice of treatment.