Povidone-iodine and glycerine for treatment of acute otitis externa

• Main Authors: Monika Patel, Arun Dehadaray
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Saudi Journal for Health Sciences
• Subjects: Alternative; effective; otitis externa; povidone-iodine; topical
• Online Access: http://www.saudijhealthsci.org/article.asp?issn=2278-0521;year=2018;volume=7;issue=3;spage=178;epage=182;aulast=

Introduction: Acute otitis externa (AOE) is the inflammation of the external ear. It usually presents with severe pain in the ear. The treatment of AOE should aim in relieving pain at the earliest. Out of the various treatment options, topical treatment should be considered as prescribing oral antibiotics without local treatment can cause antibiotic abuse. Due to unavailability, cost, and compliance issues of other topical measures, we observed and proved the effectiveness of a new modality glycerine and povidone-iodine wick in the treatment of AOE. Objectives: The objective of this study is to study the efficacy of new modality treatment-glycerine and povidone-iodine wick for AOE. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and forty-seven cases with AOE due to exclusive bacterial infection were included in the study. Otitis externa was graded as per Brighton grading scheme. Pain score was assessed using Wong and Baker pain assessment scale. Patients were treated by performing a thorough aural toilet, keeping a glycerine and povidone iodine wick in the EAC and prescribing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Few severe cases were administered the systemic antibiotic. Score of pain, canal edema, and the presence of ear fullness on D1, D3 (48 h later), and D5 was noted. Further assessment and repacking with a fresh wick was done if required until the pain and edema subsides completely. Results: It was seen that canal edema and tragal tenderness subsided significantly (P < 0.001) on follow-up visits. The severity of pain scale on D1 decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) on D3. On D3 or the first follow-up visit, 68 (19.5%) of patients required repacking, whereas there was no need for repacking on D5, i.e., second follow-up visit. Average duration of the clinical resolution was 3 days. Conclusions: The treatment method was readily available, easy to perform, cost-effective and had a better patient compliance. Povidone-iodine scores with no proven microbial resistance until date. To enhance delivery of drug locally specialist ear cleaning followed by wick insertion should be done. Use of glycerine and povidone-iodine ear pack is definitely effective with the good clinical outcome by 3 days maximum duration is 7 days. Use of oral antibiotics only for selected cases along with topical treatment for otitis externa is advisable. The outcome regarding pain relief and edema reduction were analyzed with satisfactory outcome at the earliest.