Abstrakt

otolaryngology online Role of Water as a quick Ear Wax softener before wax removal under microscope

Manpreet Singh Nanda

Ear wax is a common problem which brings the patient to ENT OPD. In many cases ear wax is very impacted and difficult to remove. Excessive ear wax can lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, itching, giddiness, pain, feeling of fullness in the ear and a reflex cough. Impacted ear wax can also lead to in-fection. Removal of wax under direct vision is the best method to be done under micro-scope. For some patients, additional strategy is necessary to soften the wax with a cerumi-nolytic and then removed. The role of water as a fast acting wax softener was investigated in this study. The primary aim of this study was to investi-gate an alternate strategy for a quick dispersant of persistent ear wax by using water and to study its affects on extent of wax removal achieved, the patients comfort level, the com-plications and the adverse effects of water if any. Water is an effective ceruminolytic agent for wax removal. It is a fast acting agent where the removal can be done in the same sitting. It is also cheap and readily available. It increases the extent of wax removal. It reduces the time taken to remove wax. Installing of water before removal makes the procedure more comforta-ble and less painful for the patients.