Ref (type)	Population	Outcome, Interventions	Results and statistical analysis	Effect size	Favours
Wax clearance
Systematic review	91 children 2 RCTs in this analysis	Proportion of children whose ears were completely clear 11/47 (23%) with triethanolamine polypeptide (water base)-based softener 3/44 (7%) with normal saline	OR 4.6 95% CI 1.1 to 18.5 Potential bias (see Further information on studies for full details) The later review performed the same numerical analysis of the 2 RCTs, although it calculated a slightly different summary statistic (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.18 to 12.04)	Moderate effect size	water-based wax softener
Systematic review	91 children 2 RCTs in this analysis	Proportion of children whose ears were completely clear 6/49 (12%) with sodium docusate (water base)-based softener 3/44 (7%) with normal saline	OR 1.9 95% CI 0.4 to 8.8 Potential bias (see Further information on studies for full details) The later review performed the same numerical analysis of the 2 RCTs, although it calculated a slightly different summary statistic (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.48 to 7.46)		Not significant