Antibiotic iontophoresis in the treatment of ear chondritis

This apparently successful management of suppurative ear chondritis by employing antibiotic iontophoresis does suggest a clinical potential for the use of the procedure. The authors recommend further research to document the efficacy of this procedure as this clinical report does not involve a large sample or sufficient experimental controls, such as selection of medication, dosage values, and confirmation of tissue content of the medication. Factors favoring the trial use of antibiotic iontophoresis, particularly before the permanent disfigurement of extensive chondrectomy or amputation, are 1) reported past experimental confirmation of the effectiveness of iontherapy, 2) the expected small incidence of procedural complications, 3) the ease of application, and 4) the usual absence of discomfort.