Aural foreign bodies are a frequent presentation to the ED. Recognition of patients requiring early specialist referral is important. Adults present with a different profile of aural foreign objects to children and require different management. The use of cotton tips or cotton wool in the external ear canal and silicone ear plugs should be discouraged.

No abstract

Day-case surgery is particularly attractive for children, allowing post-operative recovery in the safe environment of the family home. Myringoplasty using the traditional method of underlay temporalis fasia is usually performed as an in-patient. From 1995 to 2000, 74 myringoplasties were performed in a dedicated paediatric day surgery unit at the Mayday University Hospital. We have retrospectively reviewed the outcome results of these procedures and reported them here. Only three patients required admission overnight (four per cent) and six grafts failed (8.5 per cent) complying with accepted standards. This series suggests that day-case surgery is a safe and desirable practice for children undergoing myringoplasty. However, there should be the facility for admission if required.

In this evaluation, the novel EPS was highly effective and reliable. When using indigo carmine or high-density blood concentrations, the efficacy of the EPS was compromised. The EPS should be used to complement standard safe laser technique rather than to replace it.