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 considered for this study. These foreign bodies were removed by the use of a Fogarty biliary balloon catheter (Intimax) successfully in 23 children. In two children no foreign body was found. None of the children had any complications. This is a safe procedure which can be performed as an out-patient. Whilst the cost of the catheter may appear expensive, in comparison to the cost of admission for removal of similarly sited foreign bodies under general anaesthesia, the catheter fares favourably.