Background: Otitis externa (OE) is a common condition often treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids. However, the effectiveness of ear drops can be limited in cases involving canal obstruction, poor patient compliance, or anatomical variations that hinder proper medication delivery. There is a growing interest in alternative delivery methods that ensure more consistent drug application and faster symptom resolution. Objective: To compare the efficacy of hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing using Hydrocyclin® ointment with Paroticin® ear drops in treating uncomplicated and obstructed otitis externa (OE). Methods: A prospective cohort study of 200 patients was conducted. Patients were allocated into packing (n=100) and drops (n=100) groups. Outcomes included clinical resolution, pain reduction, and analgesic use. Results: For uncomplicated OE, packing achieved 100% resolution by Day 6, versus 70% with drops by Day 7 (p<0.001). In obstructed canals, packing resolved 100% by Day 6 versus 35% with drops (p<0.001). Pain reduction was faster with packing, with 80% reduction by 48 hours compared to 45% in the drops group (p<0.001). Analgesic use decreased more rapidly in the packing group. Conclusion: Hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to standard ear drop therapy, particularly in cases of canal obstruction. Packing ensures more consistent drug delivery, better symptom relief, and faster recovery. This method also improves clinician control over treatment administration and may benefit patients with impaired compliance or anatomical challenges.
| Published in | American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Volume 13, Issue 3) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12 |
| Page(s) | 40-44 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Otitis Externa, Ear Packing, Hydrocortisone, Oxytetracycline, Hydrocyclin, Paroticin, Ear Drops, Canal Obstruction
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APA Style
Ajeti, R., Ajeti, A., Dukovska, V. P. (2025). Ear Packing Vs. Standard Drops in Otitis Externa: Superior Outcomes in Obstructed Cases. American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 13(3), 40-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12
ACS Style
Ajeti, R.; Ajeti, A.; Dukovska, V. P. Ear Packing Vs. Standard Drops in Otitis Externa: Superior Outcomes in Obstructed Cases. Am. J. Clin. Exp. Med. 2025, 13(3), 40-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12,
author = {Rinor Ajeti and Afrim Ajeti and Vesna Petreska Dukovska},
title = {Ear Packing Vs. Standard Drops in Otitis Externa: Superior Outcomes in Obstructed Cases
},
journal = {American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {3},
pages = {40-44},
doi = {10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajcem.20251303.12},
abstract = {Background: Otitis externa (OE) is a common condition often treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids. However, the effectiveness of ear drops can be limited in cases involving canal obstruction, poor patient compliance, or anatomical variations that hinder proper medication delivery. There is a growing interest in alternative delivery methods that ensure more consistent drug application and faster symptom resolution. Objective: To compare the efficacy of hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing using Hydrocyclin® ointment with Paroticin® ear drops in treating uncomplicated and obstructed otitis externa (OE). Methods: A prospective cohort study of 200 patients was conducted. Patients were allocated into packing (n=100) and drops (n=100) groups. Outcomes included clinical resolution, pain reduction, and analgesic use. Results: For uncomplicated OE, packing achieved 100% resolution by Day 6, versus 70% with drops by Day 7 (pConclusion: Hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to standard ear drop therapy, particularly in cases of canal obstruction. Packing ensures more consistent drug delivery, better symptom relief, and faster recovery. This method also improves clinician control over treatment administration and may benefit patients with impaired compliance or anatomical challenges.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Ear Packing Vs. Standard Drops in Otitis Externa: Superior Outcomes in Obstructed Cases AU - Rinor Ajeti AU - Afrim Ajeti AU - Vesna Petreska Dukovska Y1 - 2025/05/27 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12 T2 - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine JF - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine JO - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine SP - 40 EP - 44 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-8133 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20251303.12 AB - Background: Otitis externa (OE) is a common condition often treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids. However, the effectiveness of ear drops can be limited in cases involving canal obstruction, poor patient compliance, or anatomical variations that hinder proper medication delivery. There is a growing interest in alternative delivery methods that ensure more consistent drug application and faster symptom resolution. Objective: To compare the efficacy of hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing using Hydrocyclin® ointment with Paroticin® ear drops in treating uncomplicated and obstructed otitis externa (OE). Methods: A prospective cohort study of 200 patients was conducted. Patients were allocated into packing (n=100) and drops (n=100) groups. Outcomes included clinical resolution, pain reduction, and analgesic use. Results: For uncomplicated OE, packing achieved 100% resolution by Day 6, versus 70% with drops by Day 7 (pConclusion: Hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline ear packing demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to standard ear drop therapy, particularly in cases of canal obstruction. Packing ensures more consistent drug delivery, better symptom relief, and faster recovery. This method also improves clinician control over treatment administration and may benefit patients with impaired compliance or anatomical challenges. VL - 13 IS - 3 ER -
Departament of Otorhinolaryngology, RINO Clinic, Ferizaj, Republic of Kosovo;Departament of Otorhinolaryngology, Goce Delchev University, Shtip, North Macedonia
Departament of Otorhinolaryngology, RINO Clinic, Ferizaj, Republic of Kosovo
Departament of Otorhinolaryngology, Goce Delchev University, Shtip, North Macedonia
