European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Foreign body (FB) ingestion and impaction in the esophagus constitute an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One-third of foreign bodies retained in the gastrointestinal tract are present in the esophagus and mostly require endoscopic removal with rigid esophagoscopy.
Objectives: This study seeks to highlight the challenges in the management of esophageal FB using rigid esophagoscopy. It will also evaluate the outcome of management. Their management depends on the anatomic location, shape, size of the foreign body and duration of impaction.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of randomly selected 60 patients presented in ENT emergencies with confirmed esophageal foreign bodies and were managed in the ENT department of SCL Hospital, NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad, from January 2016 to June 2018. Demographic and clinical data were documented and simple statistical tables were used to illustrate the data.
Results: Fifty (83.33%) patients had radiologic confirmation of foreign bodies in their esophagus and 10 (16.67%) were further confirmed during esophagoscopy. The male: female ratio is 1:1.4. The age range was 1–70 years with a mean of 35 ± 6.88 years. Majority of the foreign bodies, 50 (83.33%) were impacted in the cricopharangeal sphincter of the esophagus. Dentures (25%) ranked highest among the adult population, while coins (33.33%) ranked highest in the pediatric populations. Complications occurred in 5 (8.33%) cases.
Conclusion: The management of impacted esophageal foreign bodies with rigid esophagoscopy is safe, reliable and an effective procedure despite its challenges.