microsuction of the ear
is an examination and treatment of the ear using a high powered binocular operating microscope. We use very fine delicate instruments, including a miniature vacuum cleaner. This Hoovering of the ear is usually done as an out-patient procedure. Sometimes, and especially in younger children, it is done as a day case surgery under general anaesthetic. Microsuction of the ear is carried out
is carried out
- to diagnose the condition of the ear accurately using
- binocular vision for 3-d stereoscopic view
- high power magnification
- very bright illumination
- to remove material blocking the ear canal such as
- wax
- infected debris
- dead skin layers
- foreign bodies
- to apply medication to the ear
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having microsuction treatment: what to do
You may be asked to use ear drops or olive oil spray beforehand. This will make the treatment easier for you. |
Earol olive oil spray
applied to ear canal
to soften wax
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- You do need to lie very still.
- Despite all our efforts to be as gentle as possible, it will be noisy, and may be painful.
- It usually causes some short lived vertigo (dizzines), lasting no more than a minute or so.
- Don't get up until the nurse says so - you may be dizzy.
- You should be ok to drive afterwards but may need to wait until any dizziness has settled.
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What's the alternative?
An alternative to microsuction often used in children with runny, discharging ears is to gently mop out the ear with a cotton wool applicator.
Illumination is from light shone over the child's shoulder and focussed onto the ear by a head mirror worn by the surgeon. The view is nothing like as good, and we can't normally reach right down to the eardrum, but it is less scary for the child.
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rigid nasal sinus endoscopyis carried out
- to diagnose conditions of the nose, sinuses and nasopharynx accurately, using
- Storz Hopkins rod telescope for magnified view of narrow openings
- angled lenses to see around corners
- high power magnification
- very bright illumination
- to cary out minor treatments such as
- removal of blood clots & crusts following nasal surgery
- sucking out pus from infected sinuses
- cautery for nosebleeds
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what do I need to do?
- remember your nose is 4 to 5 inches long
- you will normally receive a local anaesthetic spray immediately beforehand
- the local anaesthetic will taste bitter and you may imagine your throat is swelling up. Don't panic, that is just the local anaesthetic working
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- the instrument will be passed gently through your nose, you will be told exactly what to do during the procedure
- lie still and breathe through the mouth
- don't get up until the nurse says so - you may be dizzy
- you should not eat or drink till the local anaesthetic has worn off - about an hour
- you should be ok to drive after an hour
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flexible fibreoptic nasolaryngoscopyis carried out
- to diagnose conditions of the nose, nasopharynx, larynx and hypopharynx accurately
- allows close up view of inaccesible areas of nose and throat
- vocal cords can be seen in motion
- flexible instrument to see around corners
- very bright illumination
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what do I need to do?
- you will normally receive a local anaesthetic spray immediately beforehand to reduce any tendency to gag
- the local anaesthetic will taste bitter and you may imagine your throat is swelling up. Don't panic, that is just the local anaesthetic working
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- the instrument will be passed gently through your nose & into your throat
- sit still and breathe through the mouth, the nurse will support you
- you may be asked to sing a high pitched note, maybe to cough, and to puff out your cheeks - don't worry, you will be told exactly what to do during the procedure
- don't get up until the nurse says so - you may be dizzy
- you should not eat or drink till the local anaesthetic has worn off - about an hour
- you should be ok to drive after an hour
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