Esophageal Foreign Bodies: Experience with Rigid Esophagoscopy at Dera Ismail Khan

Abstract

Background: Foreign body ingestion is a common presenting problem in our society. Rigid esophagoscopy for extraction of ingested foreign bodies is the recommended treatment. The purpose of this study was to present our experience with rigid esophagoscopy in removal of esophageal foreign bodies.

Material & Methods: This descriptive study was carried out from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2011, in Department of ENT, Head & Neck Surgery, DHQ Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan. One hundred and fifty five patients with suspected esophageal foreign bodies, irrespective of age and gender were included in the study. Rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia was performed by experienced ENT consultant. Each patient was studied for age, gender, symptomatology, site of impaction, type of foreign body extracted, and complications encountered. All patients were observed for 24 hours in the ward after procedure.

Results: A total of 155 suspected cases of esophageal foreign bodies were managed successfully, comprising 97(62.6%) males and 58(37.4%) females. Mean age of the patients was 32.55+26.66, range1-80 years. Dysphagia was the major complaint 131(84.5%) by these patients. Coins were the predominant FB in children 64(41.3%), while meat bolus 38(24.5%), fish bones 12(7.75%), chicken bones 9(9.5%) and dentures 14(9.05%) were predominant in adult population. Most of the objects 98(63.22%) were lodged in upper esophagus. No mortality encountered in our series.

Conclusion: Rigid esophagoscopy is still useful and relatively safe procedure in management of accidental esophageal foreign bodies.