Choosing Wisely:

Don’t prescribe oral antibiotics for uncomplicated tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

Search Recommendations

Rationale and Comments: Oral antibiotics have significant adverse effects and have been shown to be no more effective than topical antibiotics. Avoidance of oral antibiotics can reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance and the risk of opportunistic infections.
Sponsoring Organizations:
  • American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
    • Sources:
  • Randomized controlled trials
    		•
    Disciplines:
  • Otolaryngologic
  • Infectious disease
  • Pediatric
    		•
    References: • Goldblatt EL, et al. Topical ofloxacin versus systemic amoxicillin/clavulanate in purulent otorrhea in children with tympanostomy tubes. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 1998;46(1-2):91-101.
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