Direct Vision Ear Wax Removal Technique & Equipment

Ear Wax Removal is a common procedure performed by many General Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners. Historically treatment has typically been via “wet” methods such as syringing or flushing the ear. Today however, the preferred ear wax removal method used by ENT specialists, Audiologists and an increasing number of GP’s is manual ear wax removal using Micro-suction or Curettage techniques, under the direct vision of a Vorotek O Scope (successor to the LumiViewTM).

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The shift away from “wet” methods such as syringing is being driven by a combination of client demand and Practitioners wanting to adopt a safer and more effective technique.  Complications caused by syringing are unfortunately a common reason for legal complaints against GPs. It is estimated that up to one in five medico-legal cases involving GPs are related to ear syringing1.
Today Ear Wax removal by curettage or micro-suction under the direct vision of an O Scope is generally considered to be a safer and more effective treatment. In the same way an operating microscope works the Vorotek O Scope’s optical pathway converges the user’s eyes to just 12mm apart, while illuminating and magnifying the ear canal and tympanic membrane.

Oscope Depth

This is critical for both micro-suction and curettage techniques as it allows the Practitioner to achieve excellent depth perception in the ear canal and instrument with greater accuracy.

Not only is wax removal under direct vision a safer and more effective technique, it is also a fast and efficient process that will improve overall practice productivity.

As well as the O Scope, Vorotek carries a full range of manual ear wax removal equipment and can help recommend an equipment and/or training solution to meet your practice needs.

If you are ready to make the shift to direct vision ear wax removal, please visit https://www.vorotek.com/specialists/cerumen-management for more information.

References:
Bird S. The potential pitfalls of ear syringing:
Minimising the risks. Aust Fam Physician