Pitfalls of Impacted Ear Wax Removal in Developing Country, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Earwax impaction removal is one of the common otolaryngological procedures performed by general practitioner and nurses worldwide. This study aimed at determined the number, methods and complications of impacted earwax removal by general practitioner. Material and method:It is cross sectional study of mode of impacted earwax removal in Lagos, Nigeria. Informed consent was obtained from the subject before enrollment. Structural questionnaire was administrated. Data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS version 18.Result: Out of 349 subjects enrolled only 341 submitted valid result. Majority of the general practitioner saw an average of 5 cases of earwax impaction per month. Commonest mode of earwax removal is by using ceruminolytic agent followed by ear syringing. Failure of earwax removal is highest with use of ceruminolytic agent only followed by ceruminolytic agent with ear syringing 91.2% and 35.5% respectively.Commonest ceruminolytic agent used in this study is cerumol. Commonest complication of earwax removal is 35.5% failure of earwax removal. Others were earache, vertigo and otitis externa. Conclusion:Earwax impaction removal is common Ear, Nose and Throat procedure done by general practitioner. Their common mode of removal is by ceruminolyticagent only. This method account for the high cases of failure rate and major source of referral to otolaryngologist. Immersion of ceruminolytic agent with immediate ear syringing is effective and convenient for patients. This may also be less cost-effective than using eardrops and perhaps avoiding syringing.