Pre COVID and COVID era foreign bodies in ENT: A case series

Abstract

Foreign bodies (FB) in ENT department are readily encountered. As a front line health workers ENT specialists has to encounter the COVID patients as a firsthand experience. Foreign body examination and management was a challenge in COVID times because of use of bulky PPE kits, head gears and protective spectacles. Here in this case series we emphasize the comparative management of managing same before and during COVID era. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 08 patients with diagnosis of atypical foreign body in ENT and there presentation, attended in the emergency/OPD of the Dr. Sushila Tewari Hospital haldwani & SSJ Base hospital haldwani in pre and post COVID era. Case series includes management of 3 pre COVID and 5 post COVID atypical foreign bodies in ENT. FBs in the ear and nose were found more frequently in children, and the throat was the most common site of FBs. In COVID era parents are advised for being more vigilant and monitor the children while playing at homes. Proper personal protective equipment with face shield should be used while dealing with FB’s in COVID times.