ABSTRACT
Objectives: To ascertain if aural syringing is a one size ?ts all solution for aural foreign body removal in a rural setting A Record based descriptive study was looked at paediatric and adult patients Methods: with Aural FB (foreign bodies) who visited ER (Emergency) and ENT-OPD (Out Patient Department) of a single institution between January 2022 and December 2022.The Diagnosis of Aural foreign bodies was based on personal history and Otoscopic ?ndings. Patient characteristics, foreign body type, removal attempts and complications were evaluated with respect to clinical setting and patient outcome. The Data was obtained from the records. 86 patients were brought to Results: the emergency department and ENT-OPD over a 12-month period with foreign bodies of the EAC (External Auditory Canal). Otolaryngologists used otoscope and standard metallic aural syringe as their mainstay of management. Analysis of ER and OPD cases revealed Inorganic aural foreign bodies were 65.11% and 34.88% were Organic foreign bodies. Unilateral Purulent Aural Discharge was in 46.51% (40) patients, pain in 17.44% (15), Ear Bleeding in 8.13% (7), conductive hearing loss and tinnitus was 10.46% (9) and itching in 4.65% (4). Duration of Symptoms was <1 week in 65.11% (56) cases ,1-2 weeks in 22.09% (19) and 2-4 weeks in 12.79% (11) cases. Successful removal of foreign bodies from ear by only applying aural syringing was achieved in 91.86% of cases, and usage of other methods of aural foreign body removal Forceps, Hook and Suction in 5.8% and foreign body removal under GA was 2.32% were recorded Aural foreign bodies were commonly seen in paediatric Conclusion population. Patients commonly present to the ER and OPD for removal of EAC foreign bodies. The common inorganic aural foreign bodies were cotton tip, stone and eraser whereas ?y, lice and bee were the organic FB. The most common symptoms and complications of aural FBs, were unilateral purulent discharge followed by pain, ear Bleeding, Tympanic membrane perforation, external meatus laceration, chronic otitis media and facial Nerve paralysis. The most common procedures used were Syringing followed by Forceps, hook and suction. It is observed that aural syringing performed by the trained hands of an otolaryngologist is a very effective method and can almost be described as a one size ?ts all solution for managing foreign bodies in EAC with some notable exceptions.