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A cost-benefit analysis of the post-operative use of antibiotic ear drops following grommet insertion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

C. R. Pearson ,
M. R. Thomas ,
H. J. Cox  and
R. J. N. Garth
C. R. Pearson*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, Hants, UK.
M. R. Thomas
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, Hants, UK.
H. J. Cox
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, Hants, UK.
R. J. N. Garth
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, Hants, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: C.R. Pearson, MA., F.R.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, Hants PO12 2AA.
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Abstract

A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out to investigate the effect of prophylactic antibiotic ear drops used for five days after bilateral grommet insertion. The average improvement in the hearing threshold was significantly better in ears in which there was an effusion (16 dB) compared with no effusion (9 dB). The drops had no significant effect upon grommet function at three months measured by blockage rates, extrusion rates or improvement in pure tone audiometry whether or not there was an effusion. The drops were not therefore cost-effective.

Keywords

Middle ear ventilationdrug therapyCost-benefit analysisAudiometry
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 110 , Issue 6 , June 1996 , pp. 527 - 530
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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