Management of aural foreign body: an evaluative study in 738 consecutive cases

Singh, Gautam Bir; Sidhu, Trilochan Singh; Sharma, Arun; Dhawan, RUchir; Jha, Sandeep K.; Singh, Nitasha

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2006.06.018

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Volume 28, Issue 2 , Pages 87-90, March 2007

Management of aural foreign body: an evaluative study in 738 consecutive cases

Gautam Bir Singh, MS
- Department of ENT and HNS, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
- Corresponding author. House no-1433/Sector-15, Faridabad-121007, (National Capital Region), Haryana, India. Tel.: +91 95129 2285487/4007550, +91 9839335259 (mobile).
Trilochan Singh Sidhu, MD, DLO, MS
- Department of ENT and HNS, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
Arun Sharma, MS
- Department of ENT and HNS, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
RUchir Dhawan, MBBS
- Department of ENT and HNS, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Sandeep K. Jha, MBBS
- Department of ENT and HNS, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Nitasha Singh, MBBS
- Department of Internal Medicine, Escorts Hospital and Research Centre, Faridabad

Received 7 April 2006

Abstract

Objective

Foreign body in aural canal is a common ENT (ears, nose, and throat) emergency, although not always managed by an otolaryngologist. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of this emergent problem by medical personnel other than otolaryngologist.

Materials and method

A retrospective study in 738 consecutive cases with an internal control group was carried out at the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India, and the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, over a period of 2 years each. The methodology of removal and complications were tabulated and statistically analyzed using χ².

Result

A complication rate of 77% and general anesthesia (GA) induction for removal in 10% of cases was seen in patients treated by other health care personnel, whereas a minimum complication rate of 19.5% and a GA induction in only 3.5% of cases were recorded in patients managed by otolaryngologist.

Conclusion

The collected data, when put to statistical examination, clearly indicate that patients manipulated by medical personnel other than ENT surgeon have a much higher chance of complication and GA induction for removal of foreign body. This underlines the importance of strict otolaryngologist management in all cases.