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Italian Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022 August;11(2):123-5

DOI: 10.23736/S2532-1285.22.00138-0

Copyright © 2022 THE AUTHORS

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language: English

Ear foreign bodies removal in the pediatric emergency department: tricks of the trade

Gilberto ACQUAVIVA, Antonella LOPERFIDO ✉, Cristina GIORGIONE, Gianluca BELLOCCHI

Unit of Otolaryngology, San-Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy

Ear foreign bodies (FBs) frequently occur in children requiring removal procedures often performed in emergency departments. Despite ear FBs represent a common occurrence, a quick and atraumatic removal in children remains a major challenge for their lack of cooperation. Aim of this study is to report a simple and effective method to assemble a sterile syringe and gauge for ear irrigation in FBs removal. In the assembly technique we propose, the equipment is usually available in all emergency rooms and it includes: a butterfly needle, a Luer lock syringe, a bottle of saline at body temperature and a kidney-shaped small emesis basin.

KEY WORDS: Foreign bodies; Emergency service, hospital; Child; Emergency treatment; Therapeutic Irrigation