Antibiotic iontophoresis in the management of burned ears

Severe deformities of the ears are a distressing problem after burn injury. Successful management of chondritis has been elusive. Antibiotic iontophoresis has been used in the management of burned ears in patients who have been admitted to the St. Vincent Medical Center Burn Unit since 1983. There were 145 ear burns in 92 consecutive patients who received prophylactic penicillin or gentamicin iontophoresis and who were admitted from 1983 through 1990. A retrospective analysis of all patients who were admitted to the burn unit from 1967 to 1983 was done to review the outcome for patients with burned ears when conventional treatment was used. The incidence of infection, need for chondrectomy, and ear infection were virtually eliminated by management with antibiotic iontophoresis. In addition, no complications were noted when antibiotic iontophoresis was used. Antibiotic iontophoresis provides a safe, simple, and effective way to manage burned ears and thereby limits postburn ear deformities.