Abstract
Surfer's ear, also known as external auditory canal exostosis, is thought to be a bony growth that forms as a reactive process from repeated cold water exposure. This study is a retrospective review of 13 ears of 8 patients who underwent exostosis removal at Aichi Medical University, Japan between July 2009 and July 2015. We performed the endaural approach for all, and no patients had complications due to the surgery. The detailed surgical technique of a representative case is described. During bone removal of the obstructive external ear canal, the temporomandibular joint, mastoid air cells, and facial nerve are all at risk for injury. Especially, the course of the facial nerve is reported to be quite variable with respect to the annulus, therefore, a literature-based review of the surgical procedure is discussed in order to minimize exostectomy complications.
