Summary
Removal of foreign bodies from the ear or nose is a common problem and can be either a frustrating or gratifying procedure, depending on outcome. Previous experience and common sense are likely to influence the physician's choice of method, as is the availability of retrieval equipment. Current evidence shows that this practice is likely to lead to a high failure and complication rate.
Education of junior doctors is the best way to increase retrieval rates in the emergency department. Both authors have successfully incorporated a five minute review of this topic into departmental teaching programmes on ENT emergencies. The information from these talks has been reinforced by the creation of a foreign body removal pack, accompanied by a summary card of available retrieval methods.
It is inevitable that some patients will need to be referred to an ENT specialist and local policy will dictate referral routes. A realisation that difficult patient groups, such as children, should be referred without an attempt in the emergency department is likely to limit complication rates.