Management of oesophageal foreign bodies in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the pattern and outcome of management of retained oesophageal foreign bodies in children.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, January 1991 to December 2000.


METHODS
One hundred and eight paediatric patients, aged 0-14 years managed for retained oesophageal foreign bodies.


METHODS
The foreign bodies were removed endoscopically, using either a larynoscope or a rigid oesophagoscope, under general anaesthesia.


RESULTS
There were 108 patients, with a mean age of 3.0 +/- 0.8 years and age range of 23 days to 14 years. The male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Sixty four (59.3%) patients were within 1-5 year age group. Coins constituted 79.6% of the retained foreign bodies. Over 90% of patients presented within the first four days of the incidence. The dominant complaints were drooling of saliva in 37 (40.2%) and difficulty in swallowing in 35 (38.1%) patients. The commonest sites of the foreign body retention were the upper third of oesophagus 52(48.2%) and the hypopharynx 36(33.3%). The main complications following the foreign body removal were oesophageal perforations 4(3.7%) and lacerations 16(15%).


CONCLUSIONS
Retained oesophageal foreign body is a common childhood health hazard. Early diagnosis and prompt skillful removal are necessary for a satisfactory outcome.
Uba
A F
AF
Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2076 Jos, Nigeria.
Sowande
A O
AO
Amusa
Y B
YB
Ogundoyin
O O
OO
Chinda
J Y
JY
Adeyemo
A O
AO
Adejuyigbe
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome