Abstract:Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a composite medication regimen (erythromycin ointment combined with lidocaine gel) in managing donor sites after Thiersch skin grafts in ear surgery.Methods A prospective study enrolled 90 patients (54 males, 36 females) who were diagnosed preoperatively with congenital external auditory canal stenosis/atresia, cholesteatoma, etc, and underwent either external auditory canal reconstruction or open mastoidectomy. After harvesting the skin graft using the Thiersch technique, they were randomly assigned to either the conventional group (growth factor gel + protein sponge, n=45) or the novel group (combined erythromycin + lidocaine, n=45). Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale at 24, 48, and 72 hours, while wound exudation control and epithelialization process were evaluated through clinical observation.Results The visual analog scale scores in the novel group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group at all time points (P<0.05), indicating superior analgesic efficacy. Although the complete epithelialization rate of the novel group on the 21st day after surgery was slightly higher than that of the conventional group (93.3% vs 84.4%), the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The novel group showed earlier wound drying and more complete detachment of the protein sponge, suggesting a potential improvement in the wound microenvironment. However, no significant difference was observed in exudation control between the two groups (P=0.362). No local irritation or allergic reactions were reported in the novel group, demonstrating good safety and tolerability.Conclusions The adjunctive use of topical erythromycin and lidocaine with standard growth factor therapy demonstrates effective postoperative analgesia and favorable wound healing outcomes in donor site management following Thiersch skin grafts in ear surgery. With its simplified application and favorable safety profile, this regimen offers an ideal option for specific populations requiring efficient analgesia and infection control.