Nasal injuries: The place of foreign bodies

Abstract

Objectives: The study was aimed to access foreign body (FB) injuries of the nose, the variety, age group affected, management, and complications as seen in our center. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study of 27 consecutive patients with suspected FB in the nasal cavity, seen and managed in the Otolaryngology (ENT) Department of a tertiary health facility in a suburban town, Southeast Nigeria over 18 months. The case notes of the patients in the emergency department, ENT clinic, and ward were consulted for the relevant data that were analyzed and presented in descriptive and tabular forms. Results: Male cases were less than females in the ratio of 1:1.7. All the patients involved were 5 years old and less with an average age of 2.54 years (standard deviation: 0.99). Beads 8 (29.6%) was the most popular FB retrieved. All the FBs were removed in the ENT department without general anesthesia, and no complication was recorded. Conclusions: FBs in the nose were more commonly seen in children. The types of FBs varied along the common objects, the children come in contact with. Seamless removal can be achieved with the right personnel operating in a conducive environment.