N-chlorotaurine—A new safe substance for postoperative ear care

Objectives The new endogenous substance N-chlorotaurine (NCT), which for the first time was synthesized and introduced into clinical practice by our research group, was now used for postoperative ear care following tympanoplasty. The antiseptic and drying effect of NCT was evaluated and compared to the standard postoperative procedure in our department. Methods Prospective randomized trial on 10 patients. Local irrigations of the external auditory canal with 1% NCT solution were performed once daily until the canal was dry. Results NCT was well tolerated. The external auditory canal showed no signs of infections and dried significantly more rapidly than the control group. In contrast to previous suppositions, epithelialization proceeded without complications and was identical in both groups. Conclusions As NCT in our first postoperative patient study was effective in preventing infections and drying of the outer ear canal was faster without impairing epithelialization, this agent seems useful for postoperative ear care.