STUDY ON CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT IN EARLY OTHEMATOMA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN EASTERN INDIA

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a conservative treatment strategy in othematoma. 

METHODS: Study was done with 31 patients with othematoma. These patients were treated in “outpatient department” with aspiration of hemarregic fluid from the pinna, followed by intralesional inj. Dexamethsone (4mg/ml) and Inj. Gentamicin (30mg/ml) given at least 3 doses at 3 day’s interval.

RESULTS:  There was marked improvement of clinical signs and symptoms of  othematoma within  a week  and  there were complete recovery with a normal pinna  at follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This procedure avoids the conventional “incision and drainage” surgical procedure which is cumbersome for surgeons and painful to the patients. Being no need for hospital admission, with no need of intravenous antibiotic, no need to apply mastoid dressing and bandaging to the patient and with an early recovery, this treatment strategy is very economical and safe.

KEYWORDS: Othematoma, pinna, incision and drainage, antibiotic.