Prevention of cerumen impaction by treatment of ear canal skin. A pilot randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of topical skin treatment of the ear canal in the prevention of impacted earwax.


METHODS
The study was prospective, randomized and controlled.


METHODS
Secondary ORL care and Institute for the Mentally Retarded.


METHODS
Thirty-nine consecutive patients aged 1-74 years. Selection criteria were impacted earwax more than once a year and impacted earwax completely obstructing the lumen of the ear canal at the time of inclusion. Patients were randomized to active therapy or no intervention. The active therapy was Ceridal lipolotion instilled in the ear canal with a syringe once a week for 12 months. In the control group, earwax was removed without other intervention. The lipolotion was administered by the participants themselves with exception of the mentally retarded who were treated by nurses. Follow-up visits were at 3 and 12 months.


RESULTS
The main outcome was recurrence of impacted earwax with complete obstruction of the ear canal. There was significantly lower recurrence rate of impacted earwax in the treated compared with the control group (23%versus 61%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that prophylactic treatment of the ear canal with a topical emollient may prevent formation of impacted earwax.
Saloranta
K
K
Medical Centre Ruusula, Ruusulankatu 10, Helsinki, Finland. kimmo.saloranta@welho.com
Westermarck
T
T
D000287:Administration, Topical; D002571:Cerumen; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004424:Ear Canal; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009821:Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010232:Paraffin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin
C503610:Ceridal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009821:Oils; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010232:Paraffin