Mupirocin Ointment Prevents Early Post-Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The most common complication of tympanostomy tube (T-tube) insertion is the development of postoperative otorrhea. Post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea (PTTO) is defined as active drainage through an existing T-tube. Many surgeons routinely use topical antibiotics as prophylaxis against early PTTO. Mupirocin calcium ointment is a topical antimicrobial agent with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many Gram-positive organisms. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of topical mupirocin ointment in reducing early PTTO. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included 98 ears (67 patients, mean age 32.9 years) that had a T-tube inserted because of chronic middle ear effusion or atelectatic otitis media. A Paparella type-I polyethylene-tube coated with mupirocin was inserted through the tympanostomy. Patients were instructed not to use otic drops or any other medications. All patients were seen by day 14 postoperatively. RESULTS Early PTTO occurred in one case (1.5%). No early PTTO was seen with a middle ear effusion. Nineteen children were treated under general anesthesia; none developed early PTTO. CONCLUSIONS Insertion of a T-tube coated with mupirocin ointment could be effective at preventing early PTTO.