Management of foreign bodies in the esophagus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate management of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical study.


METHODS
Ear, Nose, Throat Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from February 1999 to December 1999.


METHODS
A total of 103 patients with history of foreign body ingestion were included in this study. X-ray neck and rigid oesophagoscopy was carried out in all patients for diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies. A structured questionnaire was designed to record all information.


RESULTS
Dysphagia (92%) and tenderness in neck (60%) were the most common clinical features. Majority (89%) patients had come to the hospital within 24 hours. X-ray of the neck (lateral view) was the most useful investigation with presence of air in the esophagus being a significant finding. Post-cricoid region was the site of impaction of foreign bodies in 84% of the subjects. The procedure of esophagoscopy was successful in 90 patients (97%) and failed in 3 patients (3%). Coins were the most common foreign bodies (60%), followed by meat related foreign bodies (22.5%) and dentures in 5% cases. Complications occurred in 18% patients and were more common in adults (37.1%) compared to children (8.8%). The most serious complication was pneumomediastinum. Maximum complications occurred with dentures (80%) and bone chips (42%).


CONCLUSIONS
Foreign body in the esophagus is a serious condition and early removal by rigid esophagoscopy is recommended which is a safe and effective procedure.
Khan
Maroof Aziz
MA
Department of ENT, King Edward Medical College, Lahore. maroof@lhr.paknet.com.pk
Hameed
Azhar
A
Choudhry
Abdul Jamil
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged