FOREIGN BODY EAR AND NOSE IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL-OUR TWO YEAR EXPERIENCE.

Abstract

Background: Foreign bodies (FBs) in the ear and nose are relatively frequent emergencies seen in the ENT emergency and OPD. The FBs in the ear and nose are more common but not limited to children and mentally challenged adults. The most common ear and nose foreign bodies include plastic toys, food, and small household items. Majority of FBs are harmless but few like insects and sharp objects are extremely uncomfortable requiring emergency removal. Aims: and Objectives: In the current study we aimed to evaluate the common types, prevalence, age of presentation, sex predilection, clinical presentations, treatment approaches used and complications during extraction of ear and nose FBs in patients presenting FB induced emergency. Methods: The current study was a prospective study carried out for 2 years (June 2019-June 21). All the subjects attending Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS), Government Medical College Srinagar (J&K) presenting ear and nose FBs induced emergency, were enrolled in the current study. All the relevant demographic, clinical, and therapeutic modalities of each patient were recorded and then analysed using statistical software (SPSS version 14.) Results: A total of 770 subjects were recruited in the study with nearly equal males and female representation. The majority of cases (~70%) were in the age group of <10 years in both the genders. Majority of the cases were from urban areas. Among all the subjects recruited, a greater number of subjects had FB in ear (~63%), while as 37% had FB in the nose. About 5% of the subjects reported FB bilaterally in the ears. Paper was the prevalent nose FB, while as bead was found pervasive in the ear. Only 4.5% subjects needed general anaesthesia for the removal of FB, while as only 10.8% experienced bleeding during the FB removal. Conclusion: Foreign body ear and nose pose a common ENT emergency in the clinic and are usually presented in the young subjects. Unlike, the FB in the nose, the ear FB can be more harmful by causing tympanic membrane perforation. The treatment modalities for ear and nose FB removal depends upon the type and place of FB impaction in the subject.