To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 5% sodium bicarbonate solution combined with clotrimazole ear bath in the treatment of external auditory canal mycosis.

One hundred and six patients with otomycosis externa diagnosed at Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of Panzhihua Central Hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 were randomly divided into either an observation group or a control group. The observation group was given 5% sodium bicarbonate solution combined with clotrimazole ear bath (4 times a day, 2 weeks). The control group was given 5% sodium bicarbonate solution ear bath (4 times a day, 2 weeks) alone. The total effective rate after 2 weeks of treatment were observed. The two groups were followed for 3 months to observe the recurrence rate and complications. The Fisher′s exact test was used to compare the effective rate and recurrence rate between groups.

After 2 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.0% (57/60), and that of the control group was 78.0% (46/59); there was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.007). During the 3-month follow-up period, there was one case (1 ear, 1.8%, 1/57) of recurrence in the observation group and two cases (3 ears, 6.5%. 3/46) of recurrence in the control group, and the recurrence rates between the two groups showed no significant difference (P=0.330). During the whole treatment course, no adverse complications occurred in either group.

5% sodium bicarbonate solution combined with clotrimazole ear bath is a simple, reliable method for the treatment of external auditory canal mycosis and can avoid systemic medication.