What do systematic reviews say?

Antibiotic eardrops (with or without a corticosteroid) vs oral antibiotics

Antibiotic eardrops (with or without a corticosteroid) showed no clear difference in adverse events compared with oral antibiotics (low certainty).

• Interventions for children with ear discharge occurring at least two weeks following grommet (ventilation tube)… 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.37 [0.12, 1.09]
  3 studies · 705 participants
  Low