13.07.2026 08:40
A 40-year-old man who went to the doctor saying he felt something moving in his ear had a butterfly removed from his ear. The butterfly in the patient's ear and the moment of its removal were captured on video. Expressing his astonishment, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Op. Dr. Cüneyt Ayanoğlu said, "The patient said 'it might be an insect,' I looked, and it was indeed a butterfly, moving. We were amazed; I never expected it. I removed it gently, the butterfly was unharmed, we took it out and released it into nature."
A 40-year-old man living in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece district applied to a private medical center in the district on June 19, complaining of something moving in his ear.
LIVE BUTTERFLY REMOVED FROM HIS EAR
During the examination by Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Op. Dr. Cüneyt Ayanoğlu, the team was shocked. Medical imaging revealed a butterfly in the patient's ear, and it was moving. Op. Dr. Ayanoğlu carefully removed the live butterfly from the patient's ear. The butterfly in the patient's ear was captured on camera. As the patient found relief, Ayanoğlu described his patient and the treatment process.
"HE SAID 'SOMETHING IS MOVING IN MY EAR,' WE WERE AMAZED"
Providing information about his patient, Op. Dr. Cüneyt Ayanoğlu said, "My patient lived in Istanbul, and the incident occurred there. It was a very interesting case for me. We rarely see such cases. The patient came and said, 'Something is moving in my ear.' I thought it might be earwax moving, he said 'It could be an insect,' I looked, and it was a butterfly. Butterflies flying around this season somehow got in. It was moving and was in a position that could be easily removed, so we extracted it with a small tool. The patient felt relieved, and we were astonished. The patient said 'I told you so.' Considering the position of its legs, if it touches the eardrum, it can cause a very uncomfortable feeling, sound, and movement sensation. Unless it is very large or very stuck, it does not cause hearing loss," he stated.
"WE RELEASED IT INTO NATURE"
Saying 'We see such situations more frequently in places where people sleep outside in the summer,' Ayanoğlu added, "People there generally know; when there is a movement, it is more likely to be an insect; here it is very rare. During summer, ears can be more problematic. Earwax, external ear canal infections, and ear fungi can occur. The patient came 5-6 hours after feeling the discomfort. We were surprised; I didn't expect it at all. When we removed it, it was moving; we set it free, released it into nature. I handled it gently, so nothing happened."
"NOTHING SHOULD BE INSERTED INTO THE EAR"
Ayanoğlu, offering advice to citizens on ear health, stated that when any discomfort is felt, a doctor should definitely be consulted. Ayanoğlu continued his words: "I do not recommend using cotton swabs at all. Ear secretion is a natural protective agent there; it is not dirt. Nothing should be inserted into the ear. One of the common causes of external ear canal infections is picking up germs from pools; I want people to be careful about the cleanliness of the pools they visit."