Abstract
Six turtles diagnosed as suffering from otitis media were treated surgically. The main complaint was proptosis of the tympanic membrane, and anorexia and lethargy were also seen. First, lidocaine-hydrochloride spray was applied onto the tympanic membrane for topical anesthesia. With the head fixed softly between the fingers, the tympanic membrane was cut along a semicircular line from the direction of three o'clock to nine o'clock, and the lesion was cleaned. In four cases, the incision was done with a scalpel, and some of the turtles became violent during surgery due to bleeding and pain caused by the scalpel. In the other two cases, a carbon dioxide laser was used. The carbon dioxide laser was easier to do for the operation, and did not cause bleeding. Consequently, the operating time was much shorter.
