Product Review

This review was researched and written by Professor Norman Noah, FRCP, FFPHM of the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre, who is regarded as a leading expert in all aspects of skin piercing.

The Coren preloaded sterile disposable ear piercer was one of the first ear piercing systems approved for hygienic ear-piercing in 1983 and was recommended for this purpose in 'A Guide to Hygienic Skin Piercing'. If used as instructed, there should be no danger of transmission of blood-borne virus diseases, such as Hepatitis B&C and AIDS.

The Coren ear piercer consists of a pre-sterilized disposable plastic U-shaped piercing unit. This contains a stud in one arm of the 'U' and a butterfly/back clasp in the other arm. During piercing, the two arms of the 'U' first together in front of and behind the earlobe.  Additional firm pressure on the plunger will break the restraining seal and allow the stud to be 'fired' into the earlobe and notch into place the butterfly back clasp. The plastic plunger can then be pulled away easily from the pierced ear and then can be safely discarded.

The piercers are pre-sterilised and are packaged in a plastic bubble pack. Because the sharp piercing end of the stud protrudes inwards slightly from the U-shaped piercer (which is necessary to ensure precision in the piercing), care has to be taken by the operator that they do not touch or otherwise contaminate this part of the stud. The design of the instrument makes this easily avoidable, but if contamination occurs, the piercer should not be used and must be discarded.

The New Coren Earpiercer is designed to be used for the earlobe, and should only be used for this purpose. NOTE: it is only safe to pierce the earlobe with this system. Under no circumstances should you attempt to pierce the ear cartilage or any other body part with this system.

Signed by the author:
Professor Norman D. Noah, FRCP, FFPHM
Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave. London NW9 5EQ
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St. London WC 1 E 7HT

6 August 1998

Distributor:
Therapy Traders Ltd
320 Burton Road
Derby
DE23 6AF
United Kingdom
Telephone:+44 1332 224836

Fax: +44 1332 224835