REMOVAL OF NASAL FOREIGN-BODIES WITH A FOGARTY BILIARY BALLOON CATHETER

Twenty-five children with a range of nasal foreign bodies, which were not easily amenable to anterior instrumental extraction, were consider ed for this study. These foreign bodies were removed by the use of a F ogarty biliary balloon catheter (Intimax) successfully in 23 children. In two children no foreign body was found. None of the children had a ny complications. This is a safe procedure which can be performed as a n out-patient. Whilst the cost of the catheter may appear expensive, i n comparison to the cost of admission for removal of similarly sited f oreign bodies under general anaesthesia, the catheter fares favourably .