Guidelines
Chronic Otitis Media (COM)

Chronic Otitis Media (COM)

Clinical Considerations

Benign/Inactive

  • Characterized by a dry tympanic membrane perforation unassociated with active infection

With Effusion (formerly known as chronic serous otitis media) 

  • Characterized by continuous serous drainage (typically straw-colored)

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

  • Diagnosed when there is persistent purulent drainage through a perforated tympanic membrane

Thorough cleaning with micro suction may resolve long-standing infection

Cultures should be obtained for microbiologic diagnosis and susceptibility data to guide the selection of antimicrobial agents

Potential failure of topical therapy with quinolones due to bacterial resistance

Should be considered in patients at risk for complicated or invasive ear infections or in those who have received several courses of empiric topical therapy and are at higher risk of resistant organisms

Microbiology

Treatment

Ciprofloxacin 0.2% with hydrocortisone 1% topical ear drops 3 drops q8hrs

Recommended for benign chronic otitis media and chronic suppurative otitis media

If Sign of Mastoid Reservoir, ADD

Duration of Treatment

14 days

More Information

  • Approval date: October 2021
  • Next revision date: October 2023