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Catastrophic otologic injury from oral jet irrigation of the external auditory canal
Author(s) -
Dinsdale Robert C.,
Roland Peter S.,
Manning Scott C.,
Meyerhoff William L.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199101000-00014
Subject(s) - ear canal , stapes , medicine , jet (fluid) , footplate , perforation , auditory canal , middle ear , surgery , materials science , engineering , radiology , mechanical engineering , metallurgy , punching , aerospace engineering
Jet irrigation is an accepted method for removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal. Even at a submaximal power setting, oral jet irrigators can generate enough force to rupture the tympanic membrane. Parameters for safe use of these irrigators have never been established. Three cases are reported in which, in addition to tympanic membrane rupture, oral jet irrigators caused ossicular disruption, round and oval window fistulae, and subluxation of the stapedial footplate. A prospective study performed on 25 fresh cadavers demonstrated a 6% incidence of tympanic membrane perforation when the power setting was one‐third full power or greater. Recommendations are made for safe use of oral jet irrigators for removal of external auditory canal cerumen.