Rapid Response to Gauze Strip Soaked in Triamcinolone, Neomycin, and Nystatin in Acute Otitis Externa

Acute otitis externa (AOE) is a common condition with multiple available treatments. This study aimed to compare gauze strips soaked in triamcinolone, neomycin, and nystatin with conventional eardrops for the treatment of AOE.

This experimental study included patients with AOE referred to the Otolaryngology Clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, 2014-2015. Based on their signs and symptoms, patients were divided into two clinical groups of mild to moderate and moderate to severe AOE. Patients treated with polymyxin B, neomycin, and hydrocortisone (polymyxin NH), or ciprofloxacin plus betamethasone eardrops were regarded as controls (conventional eardrops), and those whose ear canal had been filled with a gauze strip soaked in triamcinolone, neomycin, and nystatin (triamcinolone NN) were regarded as cases.

A total of 76 ears were included in this study (36 and 40 cases with mild to moderate and moderate to severe AOE, respectively). After 24 hours, in both clinical groups with mild to moderate and moderate to severe AOE, response to treatment with triamcinolone NN-soaked gauze strips was significantly higher than conventional eardrops (94.4% vs. 11.1%, P < 0.001 and 80% vs. 10%, P < 0.001, respectively).

Patients with mild to severe AOE appear to rapidly respond to gauze strips soaked in triamcinolone, neomycin, and nystatin.