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7/31/2019 Ear Irrigation
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Definition
Ear irrigation is the process offlushing the external ear canal with
sterile water or sterile saline. it isused to treat patients who complainof foreign body or cerumen (ear
wax) impaction
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Ear irrigation entails rinsing the externalear canal with saline solution. Irrigatingthe ear canal will remove excess earwax
and cleanse the ear canal. Proper irrigation can leave the ears wax
free and minimize risk of bacterial
infection.
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Indications
The purpose of ear irrigation is toremove earwax that is obstructing theear canal or to remove a foreign objectlodged in the ear canal.
Ear irrigation is most commonlyperformed on those who experience awax buildup that has impaired hearingand irritated the outer ear canal.
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Ear irrigation is performed in the emergency
department as a first-line treatment for aforeign object in the ear canal, because it is lessinvasive than using an instrument. If theobject is a live insect, oil is inserted into the ear
to kill the insect; then, the ear canal isirrigated to remove the dead insect.
Some foreign objects may be removed from theear using irrigation alone, but most require acombination of both irrigation and the use ofinstruments by the physician.
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Instruments for Ear Irrigation Kidney basin
Sterile gloves
Otoscope
Cotton swab
500-cc syringe (200-cc syringe forchildren
bore IV(intravenous)catheter (with theneedle removed)
disposable earirrigation connector
100cc of f luid for anadult and 30cc offluid for a child
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Contraindication
Ear irrigation is contraindicatedwhen:
perforated eardrum
the eardrum is ruptured,because the procedure may force
bacteria through theperforation into the inner ear.
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patients with fever and ear pain, asthese symptoms may indicate an innerear infection.
If a foreign object is made of vegetable
matter (e.g., a bean or pea), irrigation iscontraindicated because the water willcause the object to swell and complicate
extraction of the object.
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Of ear irrigation are rare, but may include :
trauma to the external ear canal,
external ear infection,
pain, nausea,
or vertigo.
Forceful irrigation with high pressure canrupture the eardrum and force bacteria intothe inner ear.
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Preparation:
Make sure that the wax inside theear is soft. Use an eyedropper to
place two drops of baby oil in eachear for five days before ear irrigation.This will loosen up the wax and
make it easier to flush out.
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Procedure:
1. Make sure that the wax inside the ear is soft. Usean eyedropper to place two drops of baby oil ineach ear for five days before ear irrigation. Thiswill loosen up the wax and make it easier to flush
out.2. Fill a bulb syringe with the sterile saline solution.
3. Tilt your head to the side and pull back on yourear to comfortably insert the syringe. Never force
the syringe into the outer ear canal.4. Gently squeeze the bulb to release the saline
solution into the outer ear canal. Remain in thisposition for 30 seconds.
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This allows the saline solution to furthersoften the earwax.
5. Cover the ear with a clean wash cloth andtilt your head to the other side so that thewater drains out.
6. Repeat the process with the other ear.Perform an ear irrigation every other weekas part of your personal hygiene routine.
7. Dry the ear thoroughly to avoid ear
infection. Use a towel to dry the outside ofthe ears. Use a hairdryer set on low-cool todry the inside of each ear canal.