MRSA drainage from the Ears–We Can Handle It

A new study recently published in one of the more prominent ENT medical journals discusses how MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) drainage following the placement of tubes does not lead to more serious complications or surgery compared to kids who have non-MRSA drainage.

Let me first try to clarify a couple of things so that we all have a few basic principles down. Drainage from the ears is called otorrhea. When this drainage occurs after the placement of tubes in the ears, it is then called post-tympanostomy otorrhea (PTO). Tympanostomy means making a hole in the ear drum, usually where the tube is placed.

This study provides comfort for both ENT’s and the parents of children with tubes because MRSA is by definition a resistant bacteria and can cause in some circumstances a significant health risk. However, it is clear from this study that it is not as threatening when it is the cause of otorrhea. Most ENT’s have recognized an increase in this type of bacterial drainage and even though it is tougher to stop that many other causes of otorrhea, it has appeared in our experience to not cause an increase risk of serious problems.