Management of foreign bodies in the ear, nose and throat

Abstract

This article presents a summary of the common foreign bodies (FB) and a practical approach to diagnosis and management. Removal of FB requires good lighting, a cooperative or fully restrained patient and a gentle approach by the clinician. An accurate diagnosis of the FB should be made prior to attempts to remove it and most, if not all FB could be safely removed the following day under better lighting conditions, sedation or anaesthesia in a fasted patient by a more senior clinician.