What do systematic reviews say?

Topical antibiotics vs acetic acid

It is very uncertain whether topical antibiotics changes ear pain, discomfort, irritation compared with acetic acid (very low certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.16 [0.02, 1.34]
  2 studies · 189 participants
  Very low

Topical antibiotics vs acetic acid

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 107 participants
  Very low

Topical antibiotics vs acetic acid

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical antibiotics vs acetic acid

It is very uncertain whether topical antibiotics changes suspected ototoxicity compared with acetic acid (very low certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 100 participants
  Very low

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

Topical antibiotics (quinolones) may leads to lower ear pain, discomfort, irritation compared with boric acid (low certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.56 [0.32, 0.98]
  2 studies · 510 participants
  Low

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 390 participants
  Low

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

It is very uncertain whether topical antibiotics (quinolones) changes resolution of ear discharge (1 to 2 weeks) compared with povidone‐iodine (very low certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.02 [0.82, 1.26]
  1 study · 39 participants
  Very low

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 40 participants
  Very low

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical quinolone vs povidone‐iodine

It is very uncertain whether topical antibiotics (quinolones) changes suspected ototoxicity compared with povidone‐iodine (very low certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 40 participants
  Very low

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

Topical antibiotics (quinolones) probably leads to higher resolution of ear discharge (1 to 2 weeks) Quinolones compared with boric acid (moderate certainty).

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.86 [1.48, 2.35]
  1 study · 411 participants
  Moderate

Topical quinolone vs boric acid

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibiotics versus topical antiseptics for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical antibiotics with steroids vs placebo/no treatment

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Topical antibiotics with steroids for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Topical antibiotics with steroids vs placebo/no treatment

• Topical antibiotics with steroids for chronic suppurative otitis media 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 50 participants
  Very low