Antibiotic prophylaxis in clean and clean-contaminated ear surgery.

Ear surgery may be performed in the treatment of chronic otitis media, ossicular chain disorders, tympanic membrane perforations and otitis media with effusion. Postoperative infection in ear surgery may result in: Wound infections Infection of the middle ear or mastoid resulting in discharge from the ear canal Failure of the tympanic membrane to close Labyrinthitis due to infection in, or adjacent to, the inner ear These complications may be associated with discomfort and inconvenience for the patient, an increase in morbidity and an increase in the costs of medical care.