The safety and effectiveness of different methods of earwax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation

摘要

The systematic review of clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness found limited good-quality evidence, making it difficult to differentiate between the various methods for removing earwax in terms of clearing wax, improving quality of life and satisfaction, AEs or cost-effectiveness. Although it showed that softeners have an effect in clearing earwax in their own right and as precursors to irrigation, which specific softeners have an effect remains uncertain. Evidence on the effectiveness of methods of irrigation or mechanical removal was equivocal. The limited evidence on benefits and costs of methods of earwax removal meant that the economic evaluation was speculative and for illustration only. Its findings should not be used for policy decisions. As such, further research is required to improve the evidence base.