A Comparative Study on the Management of Acute Otitis Externa Using Hydroxylated Polyvinyl Acetate Ichthammol Glycerine Wick Versus Cotton Ichthammol Glycerine Wick

TL;DR

This study compares two types of medicated wicks for treating ear inflammation and finds that cotton wicks provide faster pain relief.

Contribution

The study introduces a direct comparison of hydroxylated PVA and cotton wicks for managing acute otitis externa.

Findings

Cotton wicks showed significant pain reduction on days 2 and 3 compared to hydroxylated PVA wicks.

Cotton wicks provided faster recovery in terms of pain and edema compared to PVA wicks.

Abstract

Introduction: Acute otitis externa is a localized inflammation of the skin of the external auditory meatus. It is characterized by pain, edema, erythema, and itchy discomfort. Treatment includes topical and oral antibiotics, analgesics, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medication for the ear. Aural medicated wicks are used to reduce edema and pain.

Aim: To compare the clinical outcome of hydroxylated polyvinyl acetate ichthammol glycerine wick versus cotton ichthammol glycerine wick used in the treatment of acute otitis externa.

Materials and methods: It is a six-month observational study with 120 patients. The patients in this study were grouped into two groups with hydroxylated polyvinyl acetate and cotton wick, respectively. Pain was assessed using the VAS score before and after three days of treatment of acute otitis externa.

Result: Group B (patient treated with cotton ichthammol glycerine wick) had significant improvement in the pain score on days 2 and 3 compared to group A, with a significant p-value of <0.001.

Conclusion: During the second visit (on day 2), the cotton ear wick was significantly better in terms of otalgia when compared with the hydroxylated polyvinyl acetate. The cotton wick group showed better and faster recovery in terms of pain and edema compared to the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) groups.

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