Chronic suppurative otitis media in Gombe, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media is a common problem in developing countries and it is necessary to determine the local epidemiology for adequate treatment.


Method: A retrospective study of 206 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (COSM).


Results: All the patients presented with ear discharge and tympanic membrane perforations while 57 (27.7%) had associated nasal symptoms. The most common tympanic membrane perforation was the central type seen in 125 (60.7%) of the patients. Of the 206 patients studied, using standard microbiological methods, 87.4% of patients had positive bacterial culture. These were staphylococcus aureaus 37.8%, pseudomonas aeruginosa 28.9% and proteus species 18.3%. Children within the age group of 0 – 10 years were the most affected. Antibiotic sensitivity result showed that gentamicin (88.5%), cefuroxime (63.7%) and cephalexin (61.7%) were active against majority of the isolates.


Conclusion: Gentamicin, cefuroxime and cephalexin are recommended as first line antibiotics in the treatment of COSM. Other modalities of treatment are further highlighted.


Key Words: Chronic otitis media, tympanic membrane perforation, Gombe


Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol.5(1&2) 2003: 120-123