Chlorobutanol, Potassium Carbonate, and Irrigation in Cerumen Removal

Phase

Condition

Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)

Dizzy/fainting Spells

Hearing Loss

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT00765635

CLO2008/4503

Ages > 18
All Genders

Study Summary

Accumulation of cerumen in the external ear canal is a common problem. The presence of cerumen not only interferes with the clinician's view of the tympanic membrane, but may also result in hearing loss and vertigo, and may predispose to ear infections.

Removal of cerumen is facilitated by the use of a variety of ceruminolytics, or wax solvents. The current study was designed to evaluate the ceruminolytic effects of a single, brief application of the two most frequently used products in the investigators area, containing chlorobutanol or potassium carbonate with or without irrigation in the primary care setting in a randomized, single-blind trial. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized study comparing ceruminolytics with chlorobutanol versus potassium carbonate.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical diagnosis of ear cerumen

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Infection

Study Design

September 01, 2008

Study Description

INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three different treatments: Otocerum®; Taponoto ®, and a control group with sterile saline solution (NaCl 0.9%, Braun Medical SA, Barcelona, Spain). The test medication was instilled into an occluded ear for 15 minutes. Following this treatment, the subject's ear was irrigated with 50 mL of water. The main outcome was the proportion of tympanic membranes that were completely visualized after cerumenolytic agents or saline, alone or with irrigation if needed.

Connect with a study center

Hospital Clinic
Barcelona, 08036
Spain
Site Not Available

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