Foreign Body Removal From Ear – Technique, Procedure

Foreign Body Removal  From Ear (FB) is any object originating outside the body of an organism. In machinery, it can mean any unwanted intruding object Most references to foreign bodies involve propulsion through natural orifices into hollow organs.

Foreign bodies can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause inflammation and scarring. They can bring infection into the body or acquire infectious agents and protect them from the body’s immune defenses. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be toxic or generate toxic chemicals from reactions with chemicals produced by the body, as is the case with many examples of ingested metal objects.

Many physicians who work in acute care settings, especially those who see pediatric patients, will encounter patients who have a foreign body (FB) in the external auditory canal (EAC). Depending on the specialty and location of practice, some doctors will encounter this condition more frequently. The goal of this section is to give physicians an understanding of the scope of this condition as well as some methods for managing an FB in the external auditory canal.

While more common in pediatric patients, adults can also present with FB, ranging from insects to hearing air pieces, in the external auditory canal. The most commonly removed FB include beads (most common), paper/tissue paper, and popcorn kernels.[rx][rx] This combined account for just over half of the foreign bodies removed in one study.[rx] There may also be a slight male predominance, but not all studies have shown this.[rx][rx] Certain types of FB, such as button batteries, do require urgent removal. However, for most inorganic objects there does not appear to a significant issue with the length of time the FB has been in the external auditory canal before attempted removal, though in prolonged retention of FB there can be significant swelling of the EAC which may increase patient discomfort upon attempted removal.

Anatomy and Physiology

The external auditory canal, along with the outer layer of the tympanic membrane (TM), is formed from the first branchial cleft. The medial two-thirds are bone covered with stratified squamous epithelial skin, while cartilage makes up the outer third. The skin lining the cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal has hairs and modified sweat glands that secrete cerumen (earwax). Innervation of the external auditory canal is mostly from cranial nerves V3 (mandibular branch) and X. Cranial nerves VII and IX have lesser contributions. The external auditory canal is nearly straight in children, becoming adult size, approximately 2.5 cm long, at about nine years old. In adults, it becomes more sigmoid shaped with the cartilaginous portion angling posteriorly and superiorly with the bony portion angling anterior inferiorly. As a result, in adults, pulling the helix posterior and superior straightens the external auditory canal and allows for better visualization of the TM. Of significant importance for FB management, the external auditory canal has two natural narrowings. The first narrowing is at the bony-cartilaginous junction, and the other is just lateral to the TM.[rx] Another important anatomic feature of the TM is the potential blind spot in the tympanic sulcus generated as the TM slopes obliquely away from the external auditory canal as it goes inferiorly.

Indications of Foreign Body Removal From Ear

Indications for this procedure include the presence of an FB in the external auditory canal, the appropriate equipment for removal of an FB in the external auditory canal, and a cooperative patient (or the ability to safely sedate or restrain the patient).[rx]

Contraindications of Foreign Body Removal From Ear

Contraindications to the removal of an FB from the external auditory canal are related to the cooperativeness of the patient, location of the FB in the external auditory canal, lack of appropriate tools for removal of the FB, and the type of FB may make methods of removal inappropriate.

An uncooperative patient and the inability to safely sedate an uncooperative patient are contraindications to attempting FB removal.

An FB lodged against the TM, or an FB that cannot be grasped easily, such as a hard spherically shaped FB, may require specialized equipment not readily available. Specific methods might also be contraindicated in certain situations. For example, irrigation would be contraindicated with a suspected TM perforation, removal of organic material, or removal of a battery. It may also be contraindicated if the suspected foreign body is made of a spongy material that may swell and enlarge if hydrated.[rx]

Equipment of Foreign Body Removal From Ear

Multiple options exist for the removal of external auditory canal foreign bodies. Which piece of equipment to use will be influenced by the type of FB, the shape of the FB, the location of the FB, and the cooperativeness of the patient.[rx]

Commonly used equipment include alligator forceps, cup forceps, right-angle hook, balloon catheters, such as a Fogarty catheter, or Rosen needle. The use of fine, sharper instruments is greatly facilitated by binocular microscopy.[rx]

Irrigation is another common option, and this can be performed by attaching an angiocatheter to 20 mL to 30 mL syringe. Alternatively, modifying a butterfly catheter by cutting off the needle and then attaching the remaining tubing to the syringe. Great care must be taken with blind irrigation as an unknown tympanic membrane perforation may exist. Some authors advise against the irrigation of the EAC unless the TM can be visualized to ensure it is intact.[rx]

Suction is also an option and usually is performed with a Frazier suction under microscopic guidance.[rx]

Another potential method is using cyanoacrylate (superglue) or tissue glue applied to the blunt end of a cotton-tipped applicator and then placed against the FB so the glue adheres to the FB and both the FB and applicator can be pulled out of the external auditory canal together.[rx][rx]

Personnel

In a cooperative patient, it is possible to remove an FB from the external auditory canal by a single provider. Depending on how cooperative the patient is, one or more assistants may be required to maintain the patient in the proper position and keep the patient still. This is especially common in pediatric patients.[rx]

Preparation

Evaluation should include noting any injury to the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane (TM) before removal attempts. The patient’s hearing should also be assessed, especially if there is suspicion for TM injury/perforation or middle ear injury once the FB is removed. If the patient is complaining of hearing loss before the FB is removed, audiometry or tuning fork testing should be used to ensure an appropriate conductive loss is demonstrated. If the hearing loss is greater than expected, or a sensorineural hearing loss is encountered, the patient should be urgently referred to an otolaryngologist for evaluation and removal, likely in the operating room.

Patient positioning is important. Cooperative patients can either sit or lie down with the affected ear turned towards the provider. For younger children, there are several options for positioning. The patient can sit in the parent’s lap with the parent holding the patient’s body with one hand and the other around the head with the head turned. The patient can also lie down, either supine or prone, on the stretcher with their head turned.[rx]

Technique

The technique for removal of an FB from the external auditory canal should be based on the initial evaluation of the patient for possible TM injury, the type of FB and location in the external auditory canal, as well as the ability of the patient to cooperate. Before beginning the procedure, the physician should determine how many attempts will be made (usually only one or two) and if more than one attempt is planned, what technique should be used for the subsequent attempt. If unsuccessful after one or two attempts, further attempts should be aborted, and the patient should be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Consider examining the contralateral ear and nose for other foreign bodies as well, particularly in children.

Specific Techniques

Manual instrumentation (e.g., forceps, curettes, angle hook)

These are typically used in conjunction with the operating head of an otoscope, but can also be used with the diagnostic head. Binocular microscopy is ideal, though may not be available in all settings. The pinna should be retracted, and the FB visualized. When using forceps, FB can be grasped and removed. Both curettes and right-angle hooks should be gently maneuvered behind the FB and rotated so the end is behind the FB, which can then be pulled out.[rx]

Irrigation

This can be performed with either an angiocatheter or a section of tubing from a butterfly syringe. Using body temperature water, retract the pinna, and squirt water superiorly in the external auditory canal, behind the FB which will then be washed out of the canal.[rx]

Suction

This should be performed with a suction tipped catheter that has a thumb controlled release valve, such as a Frazier tip. Insert the suction against the FB under direct visualization and then activate the suctions and remove the FB, maintaining suction until the FB is completely out of the external auditory canal.[rx]

Cyanoacrylate

Apply a small amount of cyanoacrylate or skin glue to the blunt end of a cotton-tipped applicator. Once the glue is tacky, insert it against the FB under direct visualization and hold it in place until the glue dries. Once the FB is secured onto the applicator, it can be removed onto the applicator.[rx]

Insect removal

The first step is to kill the insect, which will allow the patient to be more comfortable and allow for removal of the insect after. There are multiple recommended agents for killing the insect. Studies indicate that mineral oil is the most effective, followed by lidocaine.[rx] Both can be instilled in the external auditory canal, and once the insect is neutralized, it can be removed by any of the above methods. In practice, lidocaine offers the advantage of anesthetizing the EAC as the insect struggles, which can scratch the EAC and cause pain.[rx]

Complications

The most common complications from FB in the external auditory canal, and attempts at removal of the FB, include excoriations and lacerations of the external auditory canal. As a result, it is important to document a pre-removal and post-removal exam, noting the presence of any pre-removal injuries. These typically heal rapidly by keeping the external auditory canal clean and dry. Antibiotic eardrops can be considered as well. Much rarer, and much more serious, complications of FB removal include TM perforation or ossicular chain damage. These are potentially devastating and should be avoided at all costs. If the physician is unable to, or uncomfortable, removing EAC FB then the patient should be referred to an otolaryngologist.[rx]

References