Analysis of Foreign Body Incidence and Management in the Ear, Nose, and Throat: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Foreign bodies (FBs) in the ear, nose, and throat present a common problem across all age groups, affecting both children and adults. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the types, locations, demographics, and removal methods of FBs encountered in these anatomical regions. Data were collected from hospital records over a one-year period, involving 168 patients with FBs: 188 males and 80 females. FBs were found in the ears of 140 patients, in the noses of 56 patients, and in the throats of 72 patients. Additionally, FBs were classified as animate (living) when located in the ear or nose and as inanimate (nonliving) when found in the throat. Removal of FBs was conducted under either local anesthesia (LA) or general anesthesia (GA) in 196 cases, with 72 patients requiring GA. Notably, individuals aged over ten years were most commonly affected, with children exhibiting a higher propensity for FBs in the ear and nose, while adults and elderly individuals were more prone to FBs in the throat. Most FB removal procedures were successfully performed in emergency rooms or outpatient departments, highlighting the feasibility of managing FB-related cases in these settings.