Wound Infections in Ear Surgery. Occurrence and Aspects on Prevention

The relation of postoperative infections in reconstructive ear surgery was shown to be related to preoperative discharge. Therefore, a prospective study on bacterial flora in chronic otitis media and radical cavities was performed in 39 discharging ears. The most common bacterial isolates were Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. epidermidis and various enterobacteria. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 3 ears (8%). Repeated cultures showed that the flora in individual patients was rather stable. Mechanical cleaning and use of topical ear drops improved or made 15 ears dry (38.5%). Surgery on a discharging ear is preferably performed under antibiotic cover, and choice of antibiotic should be based on preoperative bacterial aerobic and anaerobic culture.