title: A typical but seldom recognized foreign body in the esophagus of a laryngectomized patient.
abstract: A 57-year-old man with a past medical history of total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was admitted to our institution 5 months after the procedure, for surgical resection of a local recurrence of the tumor. In the postoperative period, endoscopically guided placement of a nasogastric tube was scheduled, after previous failed attempts. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an anastomotic dehiscence, 13 cm distal to the incisors, and a foreign body penetrating through the esophageal wall, 20cm distal to the incisors. We were unable to identify the foreign body with certainty but, after consulting with the assistant otorhinolaryngologist, we realized that it was a voice prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jaime P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology department, Centro Hospitalar de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho. Portugal.
authors.forename: Joao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy