Comparing the Effectiveness of Ciprofloxacin Powder-Betamethasone topical Ointment with Ciprofloxacin and Betamethasone combination ear drops in treatment of Otitis Externa

This clinical trial study was performed on 144 patients suspect to have otitis externa between 2017 and 2018 in the ENT clinic of Ayatollah Rouhani hospital in Babol. For the treatment on the same day, the patients were categorized into two groups randomly. In the first group, after suction clearance, ciprofloxacin powder and betamethasone ointment were used, while in the second group after suction clearance, ciprofloxacin drop and betamethasone drop were used in the ear canal. All patients reevaluated after one week. After preparation of the results of culture of the samples, 83 individuals including 44 in the first group (ciprofloxacin powder and betamethasone ointment) and 39 subjects in the second group (ciprofloxacin drop and betamethasone drop) had bacterial otitis externa. The mean intensity of pain in the first and second groups was 2.61±2.13 and 2.8.00, respectively which showed a significant difference (Pvalue<0.001). The itching was 38 (86.4%) and 6 (15.4%) cases in the first and second groups, respectively, which showed a significant difference (Pvalue<0.001). The discharge in the first and second groups was 10 (22.7%) and 1 (2.6%) respectively which again had a significant difference (Pvalue=0.007). The extent of diminished hearing in the first and second groups was 17 (38.6%) and 0 (0%), respectively, indicating a significant difference (Pvalue<0.001). Finally, inflammation in the first and second groups was 20 (45.5%) and 0 (0%), showing a significant difference (Pvalue<0.001). This study indicated use of ciprofloxacin powder and betamethasone ointment is less effective than applying ciprofloxacin drop and betamethasone drop.