Laterality of Exostosis in Surfers Due to Evaporative Cooling Effect

• DOI: 10.1097/mao.0b013e3181be6b2d
• Publication Date: 2010-01-16T07:55:10Z
• Authors: John F. King; Austin C. Kinney; Sam F. Iacobellis; Thomas H. Alexander; Jeffrey P. Harris; Peter Torre; Joni K. Doherty; Quyen T. Nguyen
• Keywords: Exostosis

1. To correlate exostosis severity with ear canal evaporative cooling. 2. assess hearing and complications after canalplasty.Retrospective chart review.A retrospective review from 1990 to 2007 at a university tertiary referral center.Surfers the west coast of United States were twice as likely have severe exostoses in right compared left. Evaporative cooling predominant northerly wind direction during coldest water temperature months this region may contribute lateral bias because surfers on spend most their time facing west. Few postoperative identified. No cases facial nerve injury or entry into temporomandibular joint occurred. Differences preoperative versus pure-tone thresholds not significant.Exostosis seems correspond that is more exposed coastal wind. We propose cold environment contributes greater progression exposure Exostosis removal using postauricular approach carries low complication rate.