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Pediatric ear and nose foreign bodies are common, with most successfully removed in the emergency department. Parents should avoid attempting removal of non-visible or hard-to-grasp objects to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign bodies in the ears and nose are frequent occurrences in pediatric emergency care.
- Prompt and appropriate management is crucial to prevent complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and management of pediatric ear and nose foreign bodies.
- To identify common foreign bodies and assess management outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 212 consecutive pediatric cases.
- Analysis of foreign body types, removal methods, and complications.
Main Results:
- Common ear foreign bodies included insects, paper, toy parts, and food.
- Common nasal foreign bodies included hair beads, toy parts, paper, and food.
- Approximately 90% of foreign bodies were removed successfully in the emergency department without major complications.
Conclusions:
- Emergency departments effectively manage most pediatric ear and nose foreign bodies.
- Parental attempts at removal can lead to complications and necessitate specialist referral.
- Caution parents against attempting removal of foreign bodies that are not easily visible or graspable.
Abstract:
The epidemiology and management aspects of 212 consecutive cases of foreign bodies of the ears and nose in children presenting to an urban pediatric walk-in and emergency care facility were retrospectively reviewed. The items most commonly removed from children's external auditory canals were roaches, paper wads, toy parts, earring parts, hair beads, eraser tips, and food. Foreign bodies most often found in the nose included hair beads, toy parts, paper wads, and food. Approximately 90% of all foreign bodies were able to be removed without significant complications by emergency department personnel with simple equipment. Those who required referral for otorhinolaryngologic intervention had more often failed at self or parental home foreign body removal attempts than those who were able to managed successfully by emergency department personnel. Parents should be cautioned against attempting to remove objects not readily visible or not capable of being grasped easily.