Role of topical antibiotic ointment in the lateral graft following underlay myringoplasty: a prospective randomised study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the graft outcome and postoperative infection of with and without the use of antibiotic ointment following myringoplasty for the treatment of chronic perforations.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 135 chronic perforations were prospectively randomized to use of antibiotic ointment group (UAO, n = 68) or no use of antibiotic ointment group (NAO, n = 67) following myringoplasty. The graft outcomes and postoperative infection were compared among two groups at 6 months.

RESULTS: At postoperative 6 months, the graft infection rate was 4.4% in the UAO group and 10.4% in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.312).The graft success rates were 92.6% in the UAO group and 91.0% in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.979). In the UAO group, 3 patients with purulence ear discharge resulted in a residual perforation although they received ofloxacin ear drops and intravenous antibiotic therapy treatment. In the NAO group, 6 patients with purulence ear discharge resulted in a residual perforation, only one, with mild purulence discharge was successfully treated and closed. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed pre- (P = 0.746) or post- (P = 0.521) operative air bone gap (ABG) values or mean ABG gain (P = 0.745). However, granular myringitis with minimal moistness but without infection has been noted in 3 (4.4%) patients in the UAO group and in 5 (7.5%) in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.699).

CONCLUSIONS: Use and non-use of antibiotic ointments for lateral packing of graft are both comparable methods following myringoplasty for postoperative infection and graft outcomes.