Prophylactic Tobramycin Drops After Tympanostomy Tube Placement

Tympanostomy tube insertion remains one of the most commonly performed surgeries in ENT practice. Post-operative infections remain one of the common complications after surgeries. Topical antibiotic ear drops are used to reduce the risk of this complication. The aim of this study was to assess the role of antibiotic ear drops (Tobramycin) in prevention of post-operative infection. A randomized controlled trial was done on 84 patients complaining of bilateral secretory otitis media, were operated using ventilation tube insertion. All patients were randomly allocated into two groups. The first group (group A) was the intervention group, in which all patients were given local tobramycin ear drops for five days post operatively to decrease otorrhea. The other group (group B) was the control group and no ear drops were prescribed post operatively. All patients in both groups were followed up to 14 days post operatively. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the incidence of post tympanostomy otorrhea and infections between the treatment group (group A = 7.1%), and the control group (group B = 14.2 %) (P<0.05). To conclude, antibiotic ear drops should be prescribed to all patients who are undergoing tympanostomy tube insertion. A 5-day course post operatively with tobramycin local drops is recommended