Removing cockroaches from the auditory canal: a direct method
Warren, J.; Rotello, L.C.
New England Journal of Medicine 320(5): 322
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-4793 PMID: 2911336 Document Number: 328336
Use of a 2% lidocaine solution [as advocated by A. Schittek (1980) Journal of the American Medical Association, 243: 331, and K. O'Toole et al. (1985) New England Journal of Medicine, 312: 1197] failed to remove a cockroach from the ear canal of a girl. However, the insect was removed by attaching a 2-mm metal suction tip to a wall suction apparatus with a negative pressure of 120 cm of water, and gently passing the tip into the ear canal (taking care not to occlude the canal and risk barotrauma of the tympanic membrane). Suction is recommended by the authors as a "safe and efficacious method" for removing insects from the ear canal when other methods fail.