Posted April 12, 2011 in Blog, General Medical Information, Uncategorized
Last week, a patient arrived in our office for her treatment with her 9 year old son in tow. When we asked why he was not at school, she told us that he had a corn kernel stuck in his ear canal. Two nights before they had spent 8 hours in an emergency room with the ER physician failing to get it out. The day before they visited a local ENT surgeon who, without examining the ear under a microscope, told the mother and child that it would have to be removed in the operating room under anesthesia. The surgery was scheduled for two days after that visit.
The mom explained that she kept her son home from school that day because of the corn kernel and his discomfort. After treating her, I examined the child under an operating microscope in our office. Sure enough, there was an unpopped kernel of corn. I offered placing his head in the microwave to get the kernel to “pop out”, but this uncoventional treatment was rejected by both mother and child. During my residency training at Los Angeles County- USC Medical Center, we removed many varied and assorted objects from ears, noses, and throats.
I initially used a small suction to attempt removal of the kernel, but it had been pushed into the canal past a narrow point (likely in the ER two nights before). There was a very small opening that I was able to get a tiny ear “hook” around. After a few attempts, and encouraging our brave patient to stay still, with a little extra force, out came the kernel, back to school went the 9 year old, and canceled was his scheduled unnecessary operation the next day.
I then saluted our little patient and told him, “At ease, Colonel.” An “ear” of corn will not be the same for his mother at this summer’s bar-b-ques. Most likely he got an “ear full” from his mother and father when he got home!
Needless to say, I believe that this child was mistreated by the ENT physician who had recommended surgery without even an attempt at removing the foreign object. The child was going to exposed to the risks of general anesthesia for no good reason. This case emphasizes the importance of second opinions, particularly in the case of surgery. After consulting with more than one doctor, choose your treating physician most carefully. Pass me some popcorn please. Be well.
Dr. Persky
Dr Michael Persky is located in Encino, California but services all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and more
