Abstract
We evaluated the effectiveness of quarter-strength rapid-preparation Burow’s solution for treating intractable chronic suppuration of the external ear canal and middle ear compared to nondiluted solution.
Material was 32 ears of 24 subjects—12 men and 12 women—from aged 12 to 89 years with disease persisting from 1 month to 35 years. This consisted of chronic otitis externa in 8 ears, fungal otitis exrerna in 8, chronic otitis media with perforation in 8, postoperative mastoid cavity problems in 5, and chronic granulated myringitis in 3.
Quarter-strength rapid-preparation Burow’s solution was dripped into the ear canal or small cotton balls soaked in the solution were applied.
Overall, 17 (53%) of the 32 ears were cured and 10 (31%) were improved. Quarter-strength Burow’s solution showed almost the same effectiveness as non diluted solution, excluding the fact that it required frequent treatment. The piercing pain effects due to treatment was less (9%) than with the nondiluted solution (37%) and no case of tympanic perforation occurred, compared to one case seen in treatment with nondiluted solution.
We recommend using quarter-strength rapid-preparation Burow's solution and avoiding direct use on the intact eardrum.
