Epidemiological characteristics and surgical management of external auditory canal foreign bodies: A 16-year single center retrospective study

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q2 OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

American Journal of Otolaryngology Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-06 DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2025.104774

Seok Hyun Kim , Dae Sup Lee , Sung Won Choi , Se Joon Oh , Il Woo Lee , Hyun Min Lee

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

External auditory canal foreign bodies (EAC-FBs) are common otologic emergencies across all age groups. While many cases are managed outpatient, some require surgery with risk of complications. This study analyzed epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for surgical management of EAC-FBs over a 16-year period at a single center.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 411 EAC-FB cases from November 2008 to June 2024. Data on demographics, FB type, removal methods, surgical need, and complications were collected. Foreign bodies were categorized into eight types and analyzed by age group, season, and treatment outcome.

Results

The mean age was 27.78 ± 22.63 years; adults comprised 48.8 % of patients. The peak incidence occurred in summer (29.7 %). Surgical intervention was required in 10.2 % of cases, with higher rates in preschoolers (27.5 %) and patients with prior hospital visits (31.6 %). The most common FBs were insects (27.3 %) and ear-related medical supplies (25.1 %), with age-specific patterns. Toys were predominant in preschoolers (47.1 %), while adults more often had insects or medical items. The overall complication rate was 1.9 %, increasing to 19.0 % in surgical cases.

Conclusion

EAC-FBs display age-dependent patterns in FB type and treatment outcome. Preschool children and patients with prior visits are at higher surgical risk. Although overall complication rates are low, those requiring surgery have substantially elevated risk. Careful initial evaluation and early referral are essential, along with age-specific management and prevention strategies.

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外耳道异物的流行病学特征及外科治疗：一项16年单中心回顾性研究

目的外耳道异物（EAC-FBs）是各年龄组常见的耳科急症。虽然许多病例是门诊治疗，但有些病例需要手术治疗，有并发症的风险。本研究分析了单中心16年间EAC-FBs手术治疗的流行病学特征和危险因素。方法回顾性分析2008年11月至2024年6月411例EAC-FB病例。收集了人口统计学、FB类型、切除方法、手术需求和并发症的数据。将异物分为8种类型，并按年龄、季节和治疗结果进行分析。结果患者平均年龄27.78±22.63岁；成人占48.8%。夏季发病率最高（29.7%）。10.2%的病例需要手术干预，学龄前儿童（27.5%）和先前住院的患者（31.6%）的比例更高。最常见的FBs是昆虫（27.3%）和与耳朵有关的医疗用品（25.1%），具有特定年龄的模式。玩具在学龄前儿童中占主导地位（47.1%），而成年人更多的是昆虫或医疗物品。总并发症发生率为1.9%，手术病例增加到19.0%。结论eac - fbs在FB类型和治疗效果上具有年龄依赖性。学龄前儿童和既往就诊的患者手术风险较高。虽然总的并发症发生率很低，但那些需要手术的人的风险大大增加。谨慎的初步评估和早期转诊至关重要，同时还要采取针对特定年龄的管理和预防战略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Otolaryngology 医学-耳鼻喉科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

4.00%

发文量

378

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Be fully informed about developments in otology, neurotology, audiology, rhinology, allergy, laryngology, speech science, bronchoesophagology, facial plastic surgery, and head and neck surgery. Featured sections include original contributions, grand rounds, current reviews, case reports and socioeconomics.