An annual audit of the ear foreign bodies in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Foreign bodies or objects in the ear are one of the most common problems encountered by otorhinolaryngologist (ORL) with attendant complications, removal of which requires expertise. Patients with this problem who sought treatment in the otorhinolaryngology clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) were studied for duration of one year from January 2010 to December 2010. Specifically, the clinical presentation, type of foreign body and management outcome were analysed. 72 patients were reviewed - 44 (61.1%) males and 28 (38.9%) females. The age range was one year to 75 years with 59.8% being children below 10 years old. Ear pain (56.9%) was recorded as the most common and persistent symptom and insects (54%) were the commonest foreign body encountered. 95% (69) of the foreign bodies were removed under clinic setting with only three (4.2%) cases requiring general anaesthesia. Post-removal complications were noted in only one patient (1.4%). Repeated attempts by untrained personnel should be avoided and timely referral is vital to avoid undesirable complications.

Study site: torhinolaryngology clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)