<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of the study was to discern the patterns in microbial diversity and the resistogram among the patients suffering from CSOM.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total number of 100 ear swabs were investigated for the present study. Their gram staining, direct microscopy with KOH, culture sensitivity, and biochemical tests were carried out to identify the organisms and to know their sensitivity pattern. All the swabs were collected from clinically diagnosed cases of chronic suppurative otitis media visiting otolaryngology outpatient department of tertiary care hospital. The study period was one year, from January 2016 to December 2017.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of total 100 cases, 90 were culture<strong> </strong>positives, 6 showed no growth and 4 were<strong> </strong>skin contaminants (mirococci). Out of 90 culture positives, fungal culture was positive in 5 (5.5%) while combined bacteria and fungi obtained in 18 (20%) cases and only bacteria in 67 (74.4%) cases. Among the aerobic bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria isolated from the bacterial culture (n=36; 34.95%) followed by <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>(n=28; 27.18%) and <em>Proteus</em> (n=13; 12.62%). Among the fungal isolates,<strong> </strong><em>Aspergillus niger </em>was predominant followed<strong> </strong>by Candida <em>albicans </em>&amp; <em>Aspergillus flavus.</em> Amikacin and imipenem were found to be the most effective antibiotics with low resistance rates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study gave an insight into the bacteriological profile of the cases of CSOM and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. This in turn will ensure rational and judicious use of antibiotics and thus prevent emergence of resistant bugs and also the complications associated with CSOM.</p>

Aim To find out the mean air conduction thresholds (ACT) and air–bone gap (ABG) closure across the treatment groups at the end of 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Material and methods Sixty patients diagnosed with COM with conductive hearing loss were included in the study. Air conduction threshold (ACT) and air–bone gap were calculated and recorded pre-operatively. Surgery was done with clearance of disease followed by reconstruction of hearing in single-stage operation using autologous conchal cartilage, refashioned incus, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) prosthesis (PORP, TORP) depending upon the intraoperative findings during surgery. Patients were followed for up to 6 months for assessing the hearing outcome in terms of the mean air conduction threshold and mean air–bone gap closure for each group separately. Results The outcome of each ossiculoplasty material was calculated in terms of mean air conduction threshold and mean AB gap closure. Preoperative and postoperative air conduction threshold (ACT) at 3 months and 6 months follow-up of each group was as follows: for the autologous conchal cartilage group, 41.3 (± SD 6.69), 29.2 (± SD 5.39), and 21 (± SD 4.66); for autologous refashioned incus group, 40.4 (± SD 5.43), 28.4 (± SD 6.73), and 20.8 (± SD 4.33); for the Teflon PORP group, 42.9 (± SD 5.68), 31.4 (± SD 6.86), and 34.9 (± SD 6.37); and for the Teflon TORP group, 43.1 (± SD 5.40), 32.5 (± SD 5.91), and 36.2 (± SD 5.31). The mean air–bone gap preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months and 6 months respectively were as follows: for autologous conchal cartilage, 40.6 (± SD 4.57), 23.7 (± SD 4.48), and 20 (± SD 5.28); for autologous refashioned incus, 39.3(± SD 4.92), 21.9 (± SD 5.61), and 19.4 (± SD 5.82); for Teflon PORP 43.0 (± SD 4.48), 32.8 (± SD 4.84), and 36.3 (± SD 5.56); and for Teflon TORP, 44.5 (± SD 5.56), 33.2 (± SD 5.53), and 35.2 (± SD 5.10). Conclusion The hearing outcome of ossiculoplasty varies with the type of ossiculoplasty material used. Most favorable results were obtained with refashioned autologous incus followed by autologous conchal cartilage. Teflon prosthesis has a significant improvement in hearing outcomes although the results are less favorable.

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