Frequency of three complications [bleeding, laceration of external auditory canal and perforation of tympanic membrane] in patients with aural foreign bodies

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of three major complications of the foreign body in the external auditory canal i.e. the haemorrhage, the laceration and the perforation of the tympanic membrane. Cross sectional study. This study was conducted in the Department of ENT, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from 25-12-2012 to 24-09-2013. Total 284 cases that presented during nine months of duration were included in our study. General anaesthesia was used not only when initial attempt under direct visualization was unsuccessful, but also for those having history of previous attempts, and uncooperative patients. 25% of patients developed haemorrhage, 13.8% were having laceration while none of the patient presented with tympanic membrane perforation. Cotton bud was found to be the commonest foreign body [33.7%] and bleeding was associated with it. In this study, the cotton bud was found to be the commonest foreign body in external auditory canal. Use of cotton bud although is easy for cleaning of ears but if it is broken inside the external auditory canal, can cause serious complications like bleeding and laceration as found in this study. Public should be educated about this preventable medical emergency