Complicated cases in foreign bodies of the ear, nose, and throat: a case series

Managing foreign bodies in otorhinolaryngology requires appropriate treatment based on case severity.

To analyze the clinical characteristics associated with complicated cases of foreign bodies.

This study categorized patients with diagnosed foreign bodies into complicated and uncomplicated cases. Complicated cases were defined as complications from foreign bodies requiring an operating room procedure, hospitalization, or tracheal foreign body. Otherwise, they were considered uncomplicated. Clinical data and disease variables were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the significance of different clinical features between the groups (p-value <0.05).

Of the 751 cases studied, most cases involving foreign bodies were treated outpatient and typically presented without complications, while 20.1% (n=151) were confirmed as complicated. There were 119 cases present with complications from foreign bodies, 58 requiring removals in an operating room, 57 needing hospitalization, and two tracheal foreign bodies. Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (p-value 0.043, OR (95%CI) = 1.554 (1.015-2.378)), positive presenting symptoms (p-value <0.0001, OR (95%CI)= 4.081 (2.299-7.248)), foreign body in the hypopharyngeal area (p-value <0.0001, OR (95%CI) = 65.615 (6.907-623.336)), and foreign body in the laryngeal area (p-value 0.006, OR (95%CI) = 27.787 (2.568-300.673)) were significantly associated with complicated foreign bodies cases.

Complicated foreign body cases should be addressed in male patients complaining of symptoms and foreign bodies in the hypopharyngeal and laryngotracheal locations. Due to the complexity of their condition, effective management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach.