Oxymetazoline vs ofloxacin vs ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone- effects of drops on tympanostomy tube postoperative otorrhea.

Objective: To assess for differences in postoperative otorrhea rates after tympanostomy with tube placement surgery comparing use of oxymetazoline, ofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone drops prescribed in the postoperative period.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 516 pediatric patients who had either bilateral or unilateral myringotomy with tube placement performed during the year 2018. Information collected from each surgery included whether there was effusion at time of surgery, type of effusion, whether an adenoidectomy was performed the same time or prior, prior history of tube placement, style of tube placed, type of drop given or prescribed on the day of surgery. Demographic information including age, sex, race, weight was recorded as well. Finally, the postoperative visit was analyzed for presence of otorrhea in the ears that had surgery. Univariate analysis was conducted to see if there was any association between the three different drops and presence of otorrhea postoperatively.

Results: Postoperative otorrhea was present in 50 of the 516 patients (9.7 %). We observed no significant difference between the type of drop used and postoperative otorrhea being present (p = 0.179), but prior placement of tubes was significantly correlated to postoperative otorrhea (p < 0.001). There was no relationship between type of tube used, prior tube placement, or history of adenoidectomy with type of ear drop used.

Conclusion: Overall, there is no significant difference in the rate of postoperative otorrhea when choosing between oxymetazoline, ofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone drops for use in the postoperative period after tympanostomy tube placement.