Effectiveness of Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in the Treatment of Chronic Otitis Media

Chronic suppurative otitis media is one of the most common chronic infections in children worldwide. Symptoms include otorrhea, otalgia and hearing loss. In many countries, it is treated primarily with antibiotics; in other countries such as the Netherlands a surgical approach, such as a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, placement or removal of tympanostomy tubes or a tympanomastoidectomy is preferred. There is however, no agreement on the management of this disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of treatment with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for 6-12 weeks in children suffering from chronic otitis media and otorrhea.