Introduction: The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate the effectiveness of 'parent's kiss' as a technique for removal of nasal foreign bodies in children; and (ii) determine whether this technique reduces the number of children requiring general anaesthesia for their removal.
Patients and methods: This was a prospective observational study in the accident and emergency and ENT departments at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. The participants were 31 children with nasal foreign bodies, under the age of 5 years, presenting via the acute services over a 6-month period. The primary outcome measured was successful removal of nasal foreign body with the 'parent's kiss' technique. Secondary outcome was reduction in the number of general anaesthetics following introduction of the technique.
Results: The technique was successful in 20 out of the 31 children (64.5%) in the study group. Only one patient required general anaesthesia for removal of nasal foreign body (3%). This compares with a rate of 32.5% requiring removal under general anaesthetic in the preceding 6-month period. The 'parent's kiss', when not successful, seemed to improve the visibility of the foreign body making their subsequent removal easier.
Conclusions: The 'parent's kiss' is an effective technique. It is non-traumatic, both physically and emotionally, for the child subjected to it. We advocate that it should be used routinely as a first line of management in children with a nasal foreign body in the primary care setting.