Foreign Bodies in Ear, Nose and Throat: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Nepal

Apar Pokharel

doi:10.3126/nmcj.v21i4.27616

Abstract

Foreign bodies are frequently encountered otorhinolaryngology emergency. The objective of this research paper is to analyze different foreign bodies in terms of type, site, age, and gender distribution and methods of removal. A retrospective study was performed from March, 2018 to March, 2019 in a tertiary care hospital in the central part of Nepal. The information was obtained from hospital record books. A total of 315 patients visited the hospital with a foreign body in either of their ear, nose or throat. It comprised of approximately 12% of all the ENT emergencies in the hospital in the last one year of study. Foreign bodies in ear, nose and throat region were found in all age groups, although it was more prevalent among children of age group less than 10 years.

Highlights

Foreign bodies (FB) in otorhinolaryngology are any objects present in ear, nose and throat that are not meant to be there and can cause harm by their presence if immediate medical or surgical attention is not sought. 1According to the nature of foreign bodies, they can be classified inmany ways like organic–inorganic, animateinanimate, metallic–nonmetallic, hygroscopicnon hygroscopic, regularor irregular, soft or hard, etc., in ear, nose and throat region.[2]
Plain X-ray of the neck and chest was done in patients with a history of FB ingestion to rule out the presence of foreign body in the oesophagus and airway
Clinical findings at the time of admittance are listed in Table 1. 90 (79.65%) were children of 10 years or younger and 110 (97.35%) foreign bodies were removed in the outpatient department as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 respectively

Summary

Introduction

Foreign bodies (FB) in otorhinolaryngology are any objects present in ear, nose and throat that are not meant to be there and can cause harm by their presence if immediate medical or surgical attention is not sought. 1According to the nature of foreign bodies, they can be classified inmany ways like organic–inorganic, animateinanimate, metallic–nonmetallic, hygroscopicnon hygroscopic, regularor irregular, soft or hard, etc., in ear, nose and throat region.[2]. Foreign bodies (FB) in otorhinolaryngology are any objects present in ear, nose and throat that are not meant to be there and can cause harm by their presence if immediate medical or surgical attention is not sought. Vegetable foreign bodies if left untreated for a long time have a potential to disintegrate and release irritant vegetable oil leading to inflammation.[3]. It is one of the most common otolaryngological emergencies. FBs in ear, nose and throat region can happen spontaneously or accidently in both adults and children. The reason might be due to various factors such as curiosity to explore orifices, boredom, imitation, playing, mental retardation, insanity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[4]

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