Background: Drug utilization is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs in society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social, and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of prescription and then drug utilization in outpatient (OPD) of the Department of Otolaryngology in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the A.C.S. medical college and hospital, Chennai for a period of 7 months. All the patients who attended the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) OPD were included. The total number who attended the OPD was 10,249 which include 6,956 new cases and 3313 old cases. Results: The antibacterials commonly used were β Lactams (56%), macrolides (14%), fluoroquinolones (12%), aminoglycosides (8%). Among the penicillin group, the commonest drug prescribed was a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (27%), in cephalosporins was cefixime + clavulanic acid (19%). Aminoglycosides include gentamycin in refractory cases. Fluoroquinolones include ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Others Drugs like antihistamines and mucolytics were prescribed in 27%, anti- ulcer drugs in 36% cases, analgesics in 33% cases and herbal medicines in 4%. The average number of drugs used in each prescription was 3.20. All the drugs were prescribed with brand names. The average cost per prescription per day for OPD patients is 37 Rupees. Conclusions: β Lactams were commonly used antibacterials in the otorhinolaryngology department. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(3.000): 306-310

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> As the role of cortical mastoidectomy as an adjunct to tympanoplasty in the management of CSOM tubotympanic type - quiescent stage remains controversial even today; we intend to study the factors that influence the decision of ENT surgeons on whether or not to perform cortical mastoidectomy in patients with CSOM (chronic suppurative otitis media) - active or quiescent ear.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> During May to August 2016, 60 ENT surgeons within Chennai were asked to answer a pre-framed questionnaire on CSOM based on their personal surgical experience. The answers were collected by direct questionnaire method and the data subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 65% surgeons expected a minimum dry ear period of ≤30 days before considering tympanoplasty alone (group 1) and the rest 35% members expected more than 30 days of dry ear period (group 2). Surgeons ≤40 years of age expected lesser duration of dry ear period prior to consideration of tympanoplasty alone (p =0.016). Group 2 surgeons performed cortical mastoidectomy in more number of cases (&gt;50%) when compared to group 1 surgeons (p =0.03) for patients who presented first to them with a wet ear. There was a mixed opinion among surgeons within group 1 itself on whether or not they would do cortical mastoidectomy when they encountered patients who had congested remnant tympanic membrane, congested middle ear mucosa, myringosclerosis, ossicular chain discontinuity, sclerotic mastoids or treated septic foci in spite of the ear being dry for a month.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Though many surgeons consider that 30 days of dry ear period is sufficient to consider tympanoplasty alone, there is a division of opinion among themselves while facing specific clinical scenarios.</p>