ear, nose, and throat disorders
How To Remove a Foreign Body From the External Ear
Positioning for Ear Foreign Body Removal
The sitting or semi-reclined position is used for irrigation so water can flow out of the ear. This is also usually the preferred position for the suction and manual removal techniques so that gravity is not working against the effort to remove the object. The supine position is sometimes necessary in children and sedated patients to enable an assistant to stabilize the patient's head and prevent withdrawal reflexes. Consider immobilizing certain children (eg, the very young, those with anesthesia risks or a battery in the ear) using a restraining board or sitting in a trusted adult's lap with arms, legs, and head held firmly; the emotional trauma of being restrained is usually less consequential than that of a prolonged visit plus the risks of general anesthesia. 