--- title: "Osteotome technique: remove symptomatic ear canal exostoses. | Sutter Health" description: "The described technique of using osteotomes transcanal for removal of symptomatic obstructive ear canal exostoses promoted rapid healing and was effective and safe." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Osteotome technique: remove symptomatic ear canal exostoses. # Osteotome technique for removal of symptomatic ear canal exostoses. Hetzler DG. _Laryngoscope. 117(1 Pt 2_ _suppl 113):1-14._ 2007-01-01 ## Abstract OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to assess a transcanal osteotome technique for removing symptomatic ear canal exostoses. Outcome measures included healing rates and the rate of complications. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study in a private practice. METHODS: A straight 1-mm osteotome and a curved 1-mm osteotome were used by way of a transcanal approach to incrementally remove obstructive ear canal exostoses. If anterior or superior bone growths were closely approximating the tympanic membrane, they were partially removed with a 1.5 mm cylindrical end- and side-cutting burr. Healing rates were monitored with weekly postoperative visits. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one ear canals (140 patients) were consecutively treated with this technique. Healing was achieved at 2 to 8 (average 3.50) weeks, with 90% healed by 4 weeks. There were 4 mobilizations of a full-thickness segment of anterior bony canal wall; 3 exposures of periosteum anterior to the anterior bony wall; 1 tear of the tympanic membrane requiring a tympanoplasty; 18 anterior and 11 posterior tympanic membrane tears that healed spontaneously; 3 instances of sensorineural hearing decrease; 3 cases of new-onset postoperative tinnitus; and 1 instance of postoperative positioning vertigo. There were no lacerations of the tympanic membrane by an osteotome, no facial nerve injuries, no soft tissue stenoses of an ear canal, and no skin grafting of an ear canal. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique of using osteotomes transcanal for removal of symptomatic obstructive ear canal exostoses promoted rapid healing and was effective and safe. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17220810) ![Douglas Hetzler, M.D., FACS](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/UDvjeRbD4y0H49pDgaPe5DtILfi06W12aanzToMYrbM/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Douglas Hetzler, M.D., FACS Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/douglas-hetzler-md-facs-1049681013) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Plate fixation with autogenous calcaneal dowel grafting proximal fourth and fifth metatarsal fractures: technique and case series.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/plate-fix-autog-calcan-dowel-graft-4-5-metatar-fx-1055312444) Seidenstricker CL, Blahous EG, Bouché RT, Saxena A. 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J Foot Ankle Surg. pii: S1067-2516(18)30285-0. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.07.009. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 Dec 12 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Osteotome technique: remove symptomatic ear canal exostoses."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Osteotome technique for removal of symptomatic ear canal exostoses.","headline":"Osteotome technique: remove symptomatic ear canal exostoses.","abstract":"OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to assess a transcanal osteotome technique for removing symptomatic ear canal exostoses. Outcome measures included healing rates and the rate of complications. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study in a private practice. METHODS: A straight 1-mm osteotome and a curved 1-mm osteotome were used by way of a transcanal approach to incrementally remove obstructive ear canal exostoses. If anterior or superior bone growths were closely approximating the tympanic membrane, they were partially removed with a 1.5 mm cylindrical end- and side-cutting burr. Healing rates were monitored with weekly postoperative visits. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one ear canals (140 patients) were consecutively treated with this technique. Healing was achieved at 2 to 8 (average 3.50) weeks, with 90% healed by 4 weeks. There were 4 mobilizations of a full-thickness segment of anterior bony canal wall; 3 exposures of periosteum anterior to the anterior bony wall; 1 tear of the tympanic membrane requiring a tympanoplasty; 18 anterior and 11 posterior tympanic membrane tears that healed spontaneously; 3 instances of sensorineural hearing decrease; 3 cases of new-onset postoperative tinnitus; and 1 instance of postoperative positioning vertigo. There were no lacerations of the tympanic membrane by an osteotome, no facial nerve injuries, no soft tissue stenoses of an ear canal, and no skin grafting of an ear canal. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique of using osteotomes transcanal for removal of symptomatic obstructive ear canal exostoses promoted rapid healing and was effective and safe.","description":"The described technique of using osteotomes transcanal for removal of symptomatic obstructive ear canal exostoses promoted rapid healing and was effective and safe.","keywords":["Disease Management","Musculoskeletal Disorders"],"datePublished":"2007-01-01","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952","inLanguage":"en-US","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"PMID","value":"17220810"}],"sameAs":["https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17220810/"],"isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Laryngoscope"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/douglas-hetzler-md-facs-1049681013","name":"Hetzler DG","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/douglas-hetzler-md-facs-1049681013"}],"sourceOrganization":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute"},"about":[{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Disease Management","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Disease+Management%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Musculoskeletal Disorders","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952#breadcrumblist"}}} ```