How is tympanitis treated?
Aug 26, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Irrigate the external auditory canal with warm normal saline.
For acute otitis media, use 4% boric acid glycerin ear drops, ofloxacin ear drops, or lomefloxacin hydrochloride ear drops.
For chronic otitis media, use triamcinolone acetonide powder or oily chloramphenicol solution-soaked cotton balls.
If the patient with otitis media has middle ear effusion or viscous fluid, perform tympanocentesis or myringotomy.
Treatment of tympanitis may include general measures, pharmacotherapy, and surgical intervention.
1. General Measures
Patients may irrigate the external auditory canal with warm normal saline to alleviate the inflammatory response. Irrigation should be directed toward the posterosuperior wall of the external auditory canal; as the solution reaches the deeper portion of the canal, its backflow helps flush out secretions and cerumen. Finally, the ear canal can be gently dried with sterile cotton swabs.
2. Pharmacotherapy
Once tympanitis is confirmed, appropriate medications may be selected based on the individual’s clinical presentation. For acute tympanitis, topical agents such as 4% boric acid glycerin solution, ofloxacin otic solution, or lomefloxacin hydrochloride otic solution are commonly used. For chronic tympanitis, after thorough cleaning of the ear canal, topical treatments such as prednisolone acetate powder or oily chloramphenicol-impregnated cotton pledgets may be applied.
3. Surgical Intervention
In cases of tympanitis complicated by middle ear effusion or highly viscous fluid accumulation, surgical options—including tympanocentesis (paracentesis) or myringotomy—may be considered.
