I, too had that done as a 21 year old. My younger sister and I both had horrible ear infections. I had it in one ear, my sister in two. I volunteered to go first so she could see that it wouldn't be too painful and it would go easier on her. I have NEVER had anything pain-wise to compare with it. Like you, I have had many broken bones and serious surgeries, but absolutely nothing can describe the pain that this procedure was. He actually scrapped the ear drum.
However, I don't think that anything could have gotten a grip on the infection like that old doctor did. He was very, very compassionate and ripped his nurses for not letting us in to see him sooner. If I had to have a child (or adult)go through this, I would have them put under. It's a horrible thing. I had to sit and watch my little sister go through it two times knowing the pain she was enduring was excruciating to me.
My mother tells of her uncle, the dentist, taking hold of a nerve in her tooth with a pair of pliers and pulling it out. Her father and three older brothers had to hold her down. Today there would be mal-practice for such a procedure. I can't even imagine the pain that it must have caused. We should all be thankful for modern drugs.
I had tubes as a kid and when I was in 5th or 6th grade I was playing soccer and this kid cupped my ear and popped my ear drum. I guess being a little vocab retarded I told the teacher it sounded like a wind tunnel in my ear.. and she said "Just go back to class." Well by that night my ear hurt so bad I couldn't stand it. Went the doctor and he asked if I wanted to be put out... I said no(trying to be the brave little solider because the general athestia would of cost more money, and yes I asked if it would.)
It never hurt.. just a little pressure.. but probably the oddest feeling in your life having someone in your ear drum giving you stitches.