comparison of Efficacy of Topical Ciprofloxacin Ear drops (0.6%) Versus a Combination of Systemic with Topical Ciprofloxacin in Treating Chronically Discharging Ears

Objective: To compare the efficacy of topical ciprofloxacin alone, versus a combination therapy ofsystemic with topical ciprofloxacin(0.6%) in achieving dry ears in active mucosal chronic otitis media after two weeks of treatment. Methods: After obtaining permission from ethical committee of Hospital, an over-all of 150 patients (with 75 subjects each, divided into two groups) were included in this study. In Group-A: Topical Ciprofloxacin ear drops (0.6%) 3-4 drops were instilled three times a day, 8 hours apart for 2 weeks. In Group-B: Tab Ciprofloxacin 500mg was given twice a day, 12 hours apart for 14 days along with topical Ciprofloxacin ear drops (0.6%) 3 drops were used thrice a day, 8 hours apart for 14 days. Results: Patients ranged between 15-45 years of age. Mean age of the patients was 30.3±7.4 and 29.2±7.7 years. In group-A, there were 41 males (54.7%) and in group-B 49 males (65.3%). Females were 34 (45.3%) in group-A and 27 (36%) in Group-B. Mean duration of ear discharge was 5.3±1.1 months in group-A while 5.5±1.4 months in Group-B. We could not find any substantial variation among the two group in terms of efficacy (p=0.249). Stratification with regard to age, gender and duration of ear discharge was also carried out. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that topical ciprofloxacin ear drops (0.6%) were equally effective as systemic ciprofloxacin combined with topical ciprofloxacin (0.6%), for treating chronically discharging ears. Keywords: CSOM, ciprofloxacin, nature of discharge