The updated recommendations intended to decrease unnecessary antibiotic, address therapeutic options, analgesia, prevention, and appropriate selection of antibiotics.
Key Points
- Disease may be prevented through use of vaccines and risk factor reduction
- For children 6 months to 23 months of age with unilateral nonsevere AOM and those 2 years and older with unilateral or bilateral nonsevere AOM, published guidelines provide the option of observing rather than treating with antibiotics immediately.
- Antihistamines and steroids are ineffective for the treatment of otitis media.
- Tympanostomy tube insertion is effective in reducing recurrent episodes of otitis media and persistent middle ear effusion.
- Adenoidectomy is not recommended for the initial surgical treatment of otitis media unless nasal obstruction is present but is recommended for children in whom a repeat surgical procedure is needed.
- Careful follow-up is needed to identify complications and sequelae of otitis media as well as of its treatment.