Article:

Challenging foreign body removal from middle ear

Abstract: Foreign body in external auditory canal is a very common presentation in otolaryngology emergency and outpatient department with most of the patients being children. Although an office-based procedure, severe pain or an uncooperative patient may warrant the need for general anaesthesia for removal. Whatever means is used, the outcome should be free from complications as far as possible, although it may not be possible in all the cases. We are presenting a case of 18 months young boy who had an impacted foreign body in his middle ear with prior history of failed attempt of removal in an outpatient setting. It had to be removed under general anaesthesia by drilling and widening the bony external auditory canal in order to mobilise, hold and remove it.