Are topical antibiotics necessary in the management of otitis externa?

Otitis externa is an inflammatory disorder of the skin of the outer ear canal frequently associated with bacterial or fungal infection. It is normally treated with aural toilet and topical preparations containing antibiotic/antifungal and steroid preparations. A group of 39 patients presenting with otitis externa were randomized in a double-blind manner into those receiving drops containing an aminoglycoside and steroid preparation and those receiving the same preparation without the aminoglycoside. All patients were reviewed on days 0, 3, 7 and 11 of a 14-day course of drops and their response to medication monitored. Patients documented their symptoms at each appointment and clinical response was also measured by a blinded observer. The study suggests that an aminoglycoside antibiotic conveys no significant benefit in this condition.