Pitfalls of Impacted Ear Wax Removal in Developing
Country, Nigeria
Volume 1 - Issue 3
Waheed Atilade Adegbiji1, Shuaib Kayode Aremu2* and Abdul Akeem A Aluko3
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- 1ENT Department, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
- 2ENT Department, Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State/Afe- Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- 3ENT Department, Bayero University/ Aminu Kano Teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria
*Corresponding author:
Shuaib Kayode Aremu, ENT Department, Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State/Afe-Babalola
University Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Received: October 03, 2018; Published: October 09, 2018
DOI: 10.32474/SJO.2018.01.000112
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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.
Keywords: Earwax Impaction; General Practitioner; Ceruminolyticagent; Ear Syringing
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