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Hand me that otological-grade super soaker.

A novel method for the removal of ear cerumen
CMAJ (2005), 173(12).

We describe the off-label use of a recreational device (the Super Soaker Max-D 5000) in the alleviation of a socially emergent ear condition.

A 45-year-old male complained of a profound reduction in his left ear acuity while staying at an island cottage in rural Ontario. His hearing loss was reducing his ability to hear his newborn son cry in the middle of the night, requiring his wife to carry out all late-night child care. As a result, correction of the problem was considered urgent.

Neither a formal ear syringe, nor a syringe of any kind was available on the island….He was not able to offer any substitute contraption of his own but suggested we approach his 4-year-old grandson to see if we could use his pressured water cannon.
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The Super Soaker Max-D 5000 was filled with body-temperature water and then mildly pressurized using the blue hand-pump… Midway through the second load’s stream, wax particles began to run out of the ear… The patient exclaimed in joy, “I can hear again!”

I particularly like the footnote:

Disclaimer: Despite what bush-mad physicians may get up to on their private islands, CMAJ by no means endorses this particular application of the Super Soaker Max-Whatever. Do not try this at home.

Link to full article.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 12th, 2006 at 4:06 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Hand me that otological-grade super soaker.”

  1. Shelley Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 12:10 pm

    Oh my…….! I think that had to be a joke (i hope!). :D Funny though. I think I may have to blog that tomorrow. Heeheee

  2. david Says:
    November 17th, 2006 at 4:01 pm

    The letters in response to the article seemed deadly serious….

    Complications associated with cerumen removal can include bleeding, ear pain, infection, dizziness, vertigo, and nausea. Chronic and debilitating conditions such as hearing loss and tinnitus can also occur as results of careless or inexperienced attempts to remove cerumen.[4] By following the recommendations of experts in cerumen management techniques, clinicians can avoid complications and subsequent litigation. A good place to start: keep the Super Soaker out of the treatment room.
    (Link)

    I still think super soakers aren’t used nearly enough in medicine.

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