Master, Doctor Nguyen Chi Trung, from the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, performed an ENT endoscopy on the child. He noted significant fluid accumulation in the left outer ear canal and a deeply lodged foreign object. The child underwent an endoscopic procedure under anesthesia to remove the foreign object.

Doctor Trung stated that the battery, lodged in the child's ear for an extended period, caused burns to the epithelial layer of the outer ear canal at the contact point and a significant portion of the left eardrum. A brownish-black pseudomembrane on the eardrum indicated tissue burn and inflammation spreading across approximately half of the outer ear canal.

After removing the battery from the child's ear, Doctor Trung treated the inflammation and pseudomembrane on the eardrum. Gauze soaked in a 10% betadine solution was placed in the ear canal to manage the inflammation.

According to Doctor Trung, despite the foreign object's removal, the child's eardrum suffered extensive damage with areas of necrotic tissue, posing a risk of deeper injury and potential impact on hearing. The patient will continue antibiotics, pain relievers, and eardrops, requiring close monitoring and regular follow-up appointments to assess eardrum recovery and promptly detect any complications.

Doctor Trung consults with the patient's mother. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*.

Doctor Trung explained that toy batteries are far more dangerous than typical foreign objects. When exposed to the moist environment of the ear canal, batteries can generate an electric current or undergo electrochemical reactions, raising the temperature at the point of contact. This can damage tissue, the eardrum, and other structures of the middle ear.

The doctor advises parents against attempting to remove foreign objects from a child's ear using cotton swabs, tweezers, clips, or other instruments. Such attempts can push the object deeper, tear the ear canal, or worsen eardrum damage. If parents suspect a child has inserted a foreign object into their ear, they should seek medical attention as quickly as possible for safe examination and removal.

Even after the foreign object is removed, children still require follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process of the ear canal and eardrum. If the eardrum was damaged, a doctor might recommend a hearing assessment to detect any early signs of hearing loss.

Hoang Duong

*Patient's name has been changed