This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal

James A. Salata, MD; Craig S. Derkay, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122(3):276-280.

Abstract
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of antibiotic ear drops (suspension of polymyxin B sulfate, neomycin sulfate, and hydrocortisone [Pediotic]), prefabricated ear molds, or no precautions in decreasing the incidence of posttympanostomy water-related otorrhea.

Design
Five-year prospective controlled study.

Setting
University referral center.

Patients
Five hundred thirty-three pediatric patients who were undergoing tympanostomy tube placement (including those who were undergoing tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or both) were self-selected into four groups.

Interventions
The use of antibiotic ear drops that contained polymyxin B, neomycin, and hydrocortisone and the use of prefabricated ear molds. Group 1 comprised patients who were not given any water precautions with swimming regardless of the depth or type of water; group 2 comprised patients in whom antibiotic ear drops were applied after all forms of swimming; group 3 comprised patients who used ear molds with all forms of swimming (all children were advised against diving and swimming more than 180 cm below the surface, and parents were cautioned to avoid the entrance of soapy water into their child's ears during bathing); and group 4 comprised patients who were selected not to swim at all (they served as a control group).

Results
No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of posttympanostomy swimming-related otorrhea among the three swimming groups (11%, 14%, and 20% of children in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, reported swimming-related otorrhea [P=.26, df=2, x²=2.66]). Children who did not swim at all (group 4) did not differ significantly in their overall incidence of otorrhea (59%) from the three swimming groups combined (68%) during the follow-up period (P=.11, df=1, x²=2.54).

Conclusion
Young children with tympanostomy tubes who surface swim and do not dive receive no additional benefit from the taking of water precautions in the form of earplugs or antibiotic ear drops.

(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122:276-280)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Pacific Northwest Survey: Posttympanostomy Tube Water Precautions
Poss et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;134:133-135.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Antibiotic Treatment of Acute Otorrhea Through Tympanostomy Tube: Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study With Daily Follow-up
Ruohola et al.
Pediatrics 2003;111:1061-1067.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Retained Ventilation Tubes: Should They Be Removed at 2 Years?
El-Bitar et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;128:1357-1360.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Swimming With Tympanostomy Tubes: The Controversy Continues
Brodsky
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;126:1509-1509.
FULL TEXT  

Impact of Tympanostomy Tubes on Child Quality of Life
Rosenfeld et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;126:585-592.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Tympanostomy Tubes and Water Exposure: A Practical Model
Hebert II et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;124:1118-1121.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT