Abstract
Ear cartilage heals slowly, and limited vascularity in cartilage precludes use of systemic antibiotics. Iontophoresis electrically induces drugs in solution to migrate into target tissues. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive gentamicin iontophoresis (n = 7) plus dressing changes every 6 hours and cleaning or routine care alone (n = 8) for treatment of ear burns. There were no differences between the groups in incidence of chondritis (43% vs 50%) or cartilage loss (11% vs 16%). However, gentamicin-resistant organisms developed in 29% of the patients who received iontophoresis, but in none of the patients in the control group (p < 0.05). To identify the etiology of the resistant organisms, 10 New Zealand white rabbits receive 7 cm2 contact burns to each ear. Gentamicin iontophoresis was performed on one ear, and the other ear served as the control. Serum gentamicin levels were always subtherapeutic. Additionally, gentamicin tissue levels in both the treated and control ears were subtherapeutic. Gentamicin iontophoresis appears to offer no additional salutary effects beyond those that are provided by routine care and may encourage the development of antibiotic resistance.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 521-524 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| State | Published - 1991 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine
- Rehabilitation
- Surgery
- Nursing(all)
- Health Professions(all)
Cite this
The role of gentamicin iontophoresis in the treatment of burned ears. / Desai, M. H.; Rutan, R. L.; Heggers, J. P.; Alvarado, M. I.; McElroy, K.; Herndon, David.
In: Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation, Vol. 12, No. 6, 1991, p. 521-524.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of gentamicin iontophoresis in the treatment of burned ears
AU - Desai, M. H.
AU - Rutan, R. L.
AU - Heggers, J. P.
AU - Alvarado, M. I.
AU - McElroy, K.
AU - Herndon, David
PY - 1991
Y1 - 1991
N2 - Ear cartilage heals slowly, and limited vascularity in cartilage precludes use of systemic antibiotics. Iontophoresis electrically induces drugs in solution to migrate into target tissues. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive gentamicin iontophoresis (n = 7) plus dressing changes every 6 hours and cleaning or routine care alone (n = 8) for treatment of ear burns. There were no differences between the groups in incidence of chondritis (43% vs 50%) or cartilage loss (11% vs 16%). However, gentamicin-resistant organisms developed in 29% of the patients who received iontophoresis, but in none of the patients in the control group (p < 0.05). To identify the etiology of the resistant organisms, 10 New Zealand white rabbits receive 7 cm2 contact burns to each ear. Gentamicin iontophoresis was performed on one ear, and the other ear served as the control. Serum gentamicin levels were always subtherapeutic. Additionally, gentamicin tissue levels in both the treated and control ears were subtherapeutic. Gentamicin iontophoresis appears to offer no additional salutary effects beyond those that are provided by routine care and may encourage the development of antibiotic resistance.
AB - Ear cartilage heals slowly, and limited vascularity in cartilage precludes use of systemic antibiotics. Iontophoresis electrically induces drugs in solution to migrate into target tissues. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive gentamicin iontophoresis (n = 7) plus dressing changes every 6 hours and cleaning or routine care alone (n = 8) for treatment of ear burns. There were no differences between the groups in incidence of chondritis (43% vs 50%) or cartilage loss (11% vs 16%). However, gentamicin-resistant organisms developed in 29% of the patients who received iontophoresis, but in none of the patients in the control group (p < 0.05). To identify the etiology of the resistant organisms, 10 New Zealand white rabbits receive 7 cm2 contact burns to each ear. Gentamicin iontophoresis was performed on one ear, and the other ear served as the control. Serum gentamicin levels were always subtherapeutic. Additionally, gentamicin tissue levels in both the treated and control ears were subtherapeutic. Gentamicin iontophoresis appears to offer no additional salutary effects beyond those that are provided by routine care and may encourage the development of antibiotic resistance.
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M3 - Article
VL - 12
SP - 521
EP - 524
JO - Journal of Burn Care and Research
JF - Journal of Burn Care and Research
SN - 1559-047X
IS - 6
ER -