Trick of the Trade: A flexible pediatric ear curette

Image from univatty.blogspot.com

Having you had trouble seeing a pediatric patient's tympanic membrane because of impacted cerumen? Scared from that last time you used a rigid curette and caused bleeding in the ear canal? The parents   are worried that you hit the brain...


Trick of the Trade:
Make a customized, softer, flexible curette using a polyester-tipped applicator

The thin polyester-tipped applicators have a malleable and relatively soft handle. Fold the applicator in half and twist the apposing edges into a single curette instrument. You can shape the curette to adjust the angle to your patient's ear canal anatomy and adherent cerumen chunks.


Thanks to Dr. Aaron Kornblith (chief resident at UCSF-SFGH EM program).