II. Indications
- Cerumen Impaction with soft or semi-fluid cerumen
-
Otorrhea
- Interfering with examination
- Ear toilet in Acute Otitis Externa management
III. Contraindications
- Previous radical mastoid surgery
- Tympanostomy Tubes
- Tympanic Membrane Perforation
IV. Precautions
- Ear Canal Suctioning is not recommended by non-otolaryngologists
- The potential for middle ear injury, including ossicle disruption limits safe use by non-otolaryngologists
V. Equipment
- Suction through otoscope head for visualization
- Suction tips
- Blunt tipped 14 gauge angiocatheter
- Frazier malleable suction tip (5 to 7 French)
- Wall suction (or portable) at 10 cm H2O
VI. Technique
- Avoid excessive suctioning
- Caloric stimulation may lead to Vertigo
- Suctioning terminated by compressing tubing