Foreign Body Removal
Most patients with ear, nose, and throat foreign bodies are children. Often, family physicians are able to safely remove a foreign body in the clinic, Successful removal depends on several factors including the location of the foreign body, the type of material – whether the material is easy to grasp ( soft & irregular ) or otherwise (hard & spherical ) and patient cooperation.
Common Foreign Bodies & Technique
| Location | Common Foreign Bodies | Removal Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Ear | Beads, plastic toys, pebbles, popcorn kernels | Irrigation with H2O by grasping foreign body with forceps. |
| Nose | Beads, buttons, toy parts, pebbles, candle wax, food, paper, cloths, batteries | Grasping with forceps/curved hook |
| Throat | Plastics, metal pins, bones, coin, dental appliances | Often need to be removed endoscopically, requires sedation & a referral. |
