Introduction
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease characterized by the retention of fluid and inflammatory byproducts in the middle ear without any clinical symptoms of acute infection.
Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of medical management and watchful waiting before surgical intervention in patients with OME.
Patients and methods
A total of 130 patients with OME, aged newborn to 35 years, were selected for this study. All patients received medical treatment in the form of amoxicillin for 10 days as first trial therapy; if no improvement was seen with amoxicillin, clavulanic acid was given for another 10 days as second trial therapy. Patients with persistent effusion after medical treatment were followed up for 3 months for spontaneous regression (watchful waiting, third trial therapy). Patients with persistent effusion after 3 months were subjected to surgical management according to the predisposing factor.
Results
A total of 86 (66.2%) patients showed complete recovery with medical management. Of them, 29.2% (38 patients) responded after the first trial of medical therapy, 26.1% responded after the second course, and 35.3% showed spontaneous recovery on watchful waiting.
Conclusion
An initial trial of medical therapy with watchful waiting for 3 months should be practiced before surgical intervention.