II. Indications

  1. Cerumen Impaction with soft or semi-fluid cerumen
  2. Otorrhea
    1. Interfering with examination
    2. Ear toilet in Acute Otitis Externa management

III. Contraindications

  1. Previous radical mastoid surgery
  2. Tympanostomy Tubes
  3. Tympanic Membrane Perforation

IV. Precautions

  1. Ear Canal Suctioning is not recommended by non-otolaryngologists
  2. The potential for middle ear injury, including ossicle disruption limits safe use by non-otolaryngologists

V. Equipment

  1. Suction through otoscope head for visualization
  2. Suction tips
    1. Blunt tipped 14 gauge angiocatheter
    2. Frazier malleable suction tip (5 to 7 French)
  3. Wall suction (or portable) at 10 cm H2O

VI. Technique

  1. Avoid excessive suctioning
    1. Caloric stimulation may lead to Vertigo
  2. Suctioning terminated by compressing tubing

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