Comparison of clinical outcomes of three different packing materials in the treatment of severe acute otitis externa

Biomedical application of materials for external auditory canal: History, challenges, and clinical prospects

Biomaterials play an integral role in treatment of external auditory canal (EAC) diseases. Regarding the special anatomic structure and physiological characteristics of EAC, careful selection of applicable biomaterials was essential step towards effective management of EAC conditions. The bioactive materials can provide reasonable biocompatibility, reduce risk of host pro-inflammatory response and immune rejection, and promote the healing process. In therapeutic procedure, biomaterials were employed for covering or packing the wound, protection of the damaged tissue, and maintaining of normal structures and functions of the EAC. Therefore, understanding and application of biomaterials was key to obtaining great rehabilitation in therapy of EAC diseases. In clinical practice, biomaterials were recognized as an important part in the treatment of different EAC diseases. The choice of biomaterials was distinct according to the requirements of various diseases. As a result, awareness of property regarding different biomaterials was fundamental for appropriate selection of therapeutic substances in different EAC diseases. In this review, we firstly introduced the characteristics of EAC structures and physiology, and EAC pathologies were summarized secondarily. From the viewpoint of biomaterials, the different materials applied to individual diseases were outlined in categories. Besides, the underlying future of therapeutic EAC biomaterials was discussed.

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

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.

A Post-marketing Surveillance, Single-Centric Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of VELNEZ as a Space-Occupying Dressing Pack After Ear Surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VELNEZ (Datt Mediproducts Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India) as a space-occupying dressing for controlling hemorrhage after ear surgery.

METHOD

A total of 21 patients were included in an open-label, interventional, single-arm post-marketing surveillance study to investigate the safety and efficacy of the VELNEZ ear pack. The patients were questioned for collecting data related to the subject's safety and comfort, adverse events, site assessment, and otoscopic examination from discharge day to last follow-up (eight follow-up visits) at regular intervals. The standardized questionnaires for VELNEZ tolerability (pain/pressure effect, infection, and general satisfaction) were used after ear surgery.

RESULTS

 The average hemorrhage control time was 1.08 ± 0.16 minutes. None of the subjects reported moderate pain at any of the study visits following surgery. This biodegradable ear pack had an average disintegration time of 25.4 days in the ear cavity. No postoperative adverse events or serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

VELNEZ is safe and effective as a space-occupying dressing pack after ear surgery and is well-tolerated by patients.