[Initial clinical experience with taurolidin instillation into the area of the middle area]

In this pilot study 2% taurolidin solution was used for irrigation of infected ears and instillation topically in 10 patients with severe purulent otitis media. The main purpose of the study was to find out whether the application of the taurolidin solution into the middle ear would cause significant pain or not. A slight increase in local pain was found sporadically but was not reason for withdrawing the drug. Twelve of 13 bacterial species isolated prior to treatment were eliminated during the trial, with the otorrhea of most patients stopping after just the first instillation. Audiometric evaluations during and 30 months after therapy did not reveal any ototoxic side effects. Tinnitus was not experienced by any patient during therapy. Overall findings demonstrated that local therapy with taurolidin for patients with severe purulent otitis media was very well tolerated and effective bacteriologically. There were also no therapy-related complications or ototoxic side effects.