Removal of Foreign Body in the Ear, Nose and Throat under General Anaesthesia: Our Experience at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Removal of foreign bodies (FBs) in the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) constitutes a significant part of the emergency procedures in Otorhinolaryngological practice. They can be removed with or without anaesthesia (local or general) depending on the location of the foreign body, age of the patient, previous attempt at removal, and presence or absence of associated complication(s). Objective: To determine the spectrum of ENT foreign bodies removed under general anaesthesia based on location, type, outcome, and complications from foreign body impaction. Materials And Methods: A 15-year retrospective review of all cases of ENT foreign bodies removed under General Anaesthesia (G.A) at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, from January 2003 to December 2017 was carried out. Theatre records and patient case notes were reviewed. Analysis was done using SPSS Version 20.0. Results: A total of 628 ENT FBs were managed within the study period, out of which 93 (14.8%) were removed under GA. There were 65 (69.9%) males and 28 (30.1%) females; male to female ratio of 2.3: 1. Majority of the patients 47(50.5%), were in the 0-5 year age range. Earrings 11 (11.8%) form the most common type of FBs removed. Hypopharynx, 23 (24.7%) constituted the commonest site of FB removed under G.A. Eighty-seven patients (93.5%) had successful removal, 5 (8.6%) patients had emergency tracheostomy due to airway obstruction by FB, while 1 (1.1%) mortality was recorded. Conclusion: Foreign body removal from the Ear, Nose, and Throat under general anaesthesia was mostly among under-fives, with the hypopharynx and earrings being the commonest site and FB type respectively. The majority had successful removal without complications and mortality was low. Prompt removal by an expert team is crucial in ensuring a favorable outcome.