HEENT Flashcards
What is the most common complication of cerumen removal?
Dizziness (from water in ear)
What are some contraindications for curettage in cerumen removal?
- Excessive cough reflex
- Anticoagulation
- TM perforation
What are some contraindications for irrigation in cerumen removal?
- Diabetes mellitus
- Other immunosuppressive problems
What are some potential complications of cerumen removal?
Curettage: TM perforation
Irrigation: dizziness
Contraindications for foreign body removal from ear or nose?
- Cholesteastoma
- Previous ear surgery (perforation risk)
- Distortion of normal anatomy from trauma
When should we use suction when removing a foreign body from the nose?
- Particulate matter
- Insects
How should we treat accidental ear trauma/perforation during foreign body removal?
- ABX ear drops 3x/day for 7 days
- Audiometry and tympanometry testing
Should we give patients local anesthetics or steroid drops after foreign body removal from conjunctiva?
-No, pain is good indicator of corneal damage
What should we give patients who undergo foreign body removal from eye?
ABX drops for 3 days
Indications for immediate referral to eye specialist?
- Corneal ulceration
- White spots on cornea
- Purulent discharge
What are some contraindications to foreign body removal from conjunctiva/cornea?
- Objects that have remained >24 hours
- Iron-based objects (relative)
- Infections
- Ruptured globe
- Acid/alkali damage
When deciding whether or not to remove a foreign body from the eye, what are some opthalmic emergencies?
- Ruptured globe (irregular pupil, abnormal anterior chamber)
- Hyphema
- Acid or alkali contamination
Most serious complication from removing foreign object from the eye?
Visual impairment
When do we need to follow-up with patients undergoing foreign body removal from the eye?
- Large abrasions >3 mm w/ decreased vision
- Contact abrasions require daily follow-ups to rule out ulceration
In what locations should we avoid using lidocaine with epinephrine?
- Fingers
- Toes
- Penis
- Nose
- Ears
