Otology/Neurotology

Otologic complications of cotton swab use: One institution's experience†‡

  1. Matthew Smith MD,
  2. Ilaaf Darrat MD*,
  3. Michael Seidman MD, FACS

Article first published online: 12 JAN 2012

DOI: 10.1002/lary.22437

Issue

The Laryngoscope

The Laryngoscope

Volume 122, Issue 2, pages 409–411, February 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Smith, M., Darrat, I. and Seidman, M. (2012), Otologic complications of cotton swab use: One institution's experience. The Laryngoscope, 122: 409–411. doi: 10.1002/lary.22437

Author Information

  1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

*Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202

  1. †

    Poster presentation at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., April 27–May 1, 2011.

  2. ‡

    Michael Seidman, MD, has the following financial disclosures and conflicts of interest: Body Language Vitamins (founder); Visalus Sciences (Director of Product Development); Wellness, HFWBH (Director of Wellness); CIM Center HFHS (Medical Director); Arches Tinnitus Relief Formula (<5% shareholder); Save Your Hearing Now (book author); NIH and others (grant recipient); Scientific/Medical Advisor (upon request) for WebMD, BASF, National Football League, Major League Baseball; U.S. Patent Office (holder of several patents). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 JAN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 12 JAN 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 7 NOV 2011 11:00AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 13 OCT 2011
  5. Manuscript Revised: 5 OCT 2011
  6. Manuscript Received: 19 JUL 2011

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Keywords:

  • Cotton swab;
  • tympanic membrane perforation;
  • perilymphatic fistula;
  • Level of Evidence: 2b

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the indications for observation versus surgery in the management of cotton swab-induced tympanic membrane perforations (TMP).

Study Design:

Institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study of 1,540 patients with a diagnosis of TMP from 2001 to 2010. Patients with a cotton swab injury were subdivided into two groups: observation and surgery.

Methods:

Data collection included demographics, symptoms, surgery type, and pre- and postintervention audiometry. Successful outcomes were defined as healed TMP; resolution/improvement of vertigo, tinnitus, or facial nerve paralysis; and/or closure of the air-bone gap (ABG).

Results:

Fifty-four of 1,540 patients presented with a cotton swab-induced TMP. Four of the 54 patients (7.4%) underwent delayed surgical repair with 100% success. Preoperatively, one patient had a facial nerve paralysis and two had vertigo with confirmed perilymphatic fistulae (PLF). Postoperatively, the facial nerve paralysis resolved, and one patient had mild vertigo. Fifty of 54 patients opted to forego surgery with 35 patients available for follow-up. Thirty-four (97%) of the 35 patients had spontaneous healing. The average time to perforation closure was 1.75 months. Twelve of 35 patients had no ABG after healing.

Conclusions:

Observation is an appropriate consideration for patients who have a TMP due to a cotton swab injury. Surgical intervention should be offered early when a PLF is suspected, or if facial paralysis, severe vertigo, and/or profound sensorineural hearing loss are present. As otolaryngologists, we should be reluctant to offer surgical intervention of an acute injury without significant symptoms as most patients will heal spontaneously within 2 months.

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