Topical Therapy of Otitis Externa: Potential Use of Combined Preparations

AIM: To assess the potential use of a combined topical preparation in the form of ear drops containing chloramphenicol, clotrimazole, beclomethasone dipropionate, and lidocaine in the treatment of patients with acute otitis externa, based on the clinical presentation and characteristics of the microbiological profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records of 168 patients with acute otitis externa over a 5-year period was performed. The study included children older than 6 years and adult patients. All patients underwent otorhinolaryngological examination, culture-based microbiological testing of discharge from the external auditory canal with species identification, CFU/mL counts and analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility data for clinically significant bacterial isolates according to laboratory reports, as well as local therapy with a combined topical preparation in the form of ear drops containing chloramphenicol, clotrimazole, beclomethasone dipropionate, and lidocaine. In cases where inflammation spread to the skin of the auricle, a combined ointment containing chloramphenicol and methyluracil was additionally used. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on the dynamics of subjective symptoms and objective signs of inflammation; tolerability was evaluated according to the presence of adverse events. Statistical analysis included calculation of mean values and proportions. RESULTS: Positive clinical dynamics were observed with the use of the combined topical ear drop preparation in patients with acute otitis externa: therapy resulted in regression of the main symptoms in 96.4% of patients, including reduction of otalgia, edema, hyperemia of the external auditory canal skin, and pathological discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Combined topical therapy with an ear drop preparation demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable safety profile in the treatment of acute otitis externa in children older than 6 years and adult patients, providing positive clinical dynamics in 96.4% of patients.