J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2002 Dec;13(4):508-512.

Removing Blunt Foreign Bodies from Nasal Cavities by Using a Foley Balloon Catheter in the Emergency Department

• Kim GW
• Choi SC
• Yoon SK
• Kim JY
• Cho JP
• Jung YS

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the success rate and the safety of removing blunt nasal foreign bodies from nasal cavities by using a Foley balloon catheter.
METHODS
A prospective study involving 30 pediatric patients was conducted. The ages of the patients range from 18 months to 4 years old. The average age was 3.0+/-2.5 years. A variety of blunt nasal foreign bodies were removed by lifting the tip of the nose, inserting a Foley balloon catheter (6~8 Fr) about 5 cm perpendicular to coronal axis of the head with tight contact with the bottom of the inferior meatus passing the foreign bodies, gently inflating the balloon with 1-2 cc of air, and pulling the Foley ballon catheter perpendicularly with a steady pressure (same axis as insertion).
RESULTS
Blunt foreign bodies in nasal cavities were successfully removed in all 30 patients by using this method. There were no significant complications. In only 3 patients were nonsustained minor epistaxis observed, and these required no intervention.
CONCLUSION
This method had a high success rate (100%) and was safe. Further well designed comparative studies are required.

Keyword

Foreign bodies; Nasal cavity; Catheter zativn

MeSH Terms

Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Catheters*
Child, Preschool
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Epistaxis
Foreign Bodies*
Head
Humans
Lifting
Nasal Cavity*
Nose
Prospective Studies