Irrigation | Ear | Ease of use | Contraindicated in tympanic perforation and for vegetable matter |
Positive pressure | Nose | Non-traumatic | Risk of barotrauma |
Negative pressure | Both | Ease of use | Need solid seal |
| | Anterior FBs | Posterior FBs difficult |
| | Good for small, round FBs | May frighten children |
Glue | Both | Ease of use | FB must be visualised |
| | Non-traumatic | Adhesion of glue to patient |
Catheter techniques | Nose/ both | Good for awkward and posteriorly placed FBs | Cost and availability of catheter |
| | | Possible trauma |
| | | Needs good anaesthesia |
Impression materials | Ear | Ease of use | Cost and availability |
| | | Contraindicated in perforation |
Surgical instruments | Both | Availability | Trauma with metal objects |
| | | Posterior displacement of FBs |
Manufactured instruments | Both | Instrument can be designed to fit the shape of the FB | Trauma |
| | | Posterior displacement of FBs |