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Management of retained ear-rings using an ear block
1Accident and Emergency Department, Stockport Infirmary, Cheshire, UK.
Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
|September 1, 1995
Summary
A novel ear nerve block effectively manages retained earrings, especially in infected earlobes. This quick, simple technique provides excellent pain relief for ear piercing removal.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Retained earring components and infected earlobes present a clinical challenge.
- Traditional methods for removal can be painful and may exacerbate infection.
- Local anesthetic infiltration is often contraindicated in infected tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a greater auricular and auriculotemporal nerve block for the removal of retained ear-ring studs.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of this technique in cases of earlobe infection.
Main Methods:
- A local anesthetic block targeting the greater auricular and auriculotemporal nerves was performed.
- The technique was applied to facilitate the removal of 28 retained ear-ring components in 26 patients.
- Patients with infected earlobes were included to assess the technique's utility in this specific scenario.
Main Results:
- Complete analgesia was achieved in 25 out of 28 procedures.
- Two patients reported tolerable discomfort during ear-ring removal.
- The nerve block technique was successfully employed in cases with soft tissue infection, avoiding direct infiltration.
Conclusions:
- Nerve blockade of the greater auricular and auriculotemporal nerves is a safe, effective, and simple method for removing retained ear-rings.
- This technique is particularly recommended for infected earlobes where local anesthetic infiltration is contraindicated.
- The procedure offers excellent analgesia and facilitates ear-ring removal with minimal patient discomfort.