Treatment of recurrent otitis media that developed after total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs: nine cases (1986–1994)

Abstract

Objective To assess clinical findings and long-term outcome of dogs treated for recurrent middle ear infection that developed after total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Design Retrospective case series. Animals Of 94 dogs (142 ears) treated by means of total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla ostectomy for end-stage otitis, 9 developed recurrent middle ear infection. Procedure Information regarding treatment and outcome were retrieved from the medical records. Results Antibiotic treatment was attempted in 8 dogs, but failed to cure recurrent otitis media in 7 of 8 dogs. Seven dogs were treated by means of exploratory surgery, which consisted of ventral bulla osteotomy and tympanic curettage. One dog was cured, 1 developed another infection and was euthanatized, and the 5 remaining dogs developed another middle ear infection after the first exploratory surgery. Infection resolved after retained epithelium was removed from the tympanic cavity during a second exploratory surgery of the bulla in these 5 dogs. Clinical Implications Antibiotic treatment rarely is effective for resolving recurrent middle ear infection that develops after total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Ventral bulla osteotomy and curettage can be a successful method of treatment, provided retained epithelium and debris are completely removed from the ear canal and tympanic cavity. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996;209:937-942)