Swallowed dentures: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Abstract

s / International Journal of Surgery 12 (2014) S13eS117 S42 0944: SWALLOWED DENTURES: A DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE Ahad Shafi, Vamsidhar Vallamkondu , Rujuta Roplekar , Muhammad Shakeel . University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK. Introduction: To raise awareness about the potential dangers of dentures by presenting a case series of patients who developed denture impaction in their upper aerodigestive tract. Methods: A prospective audit of the patients presenting with an accidental swallowing of their denture. The information collected includes demographics, presenting history, examination findings, therapeutic intervention and outcome. Excel was used to collect and analyse the data. Results: A total of 11 patients (4 female: 7 male) with a mean age of 61 years (range 39 82) were identified. Nine patients attended the accident and emergency department on the same day after developing absolute dysphagia and all of these patients required a general anaesthetic to remove the partial denture. One patient had swallowed only the artificial teeth and no active intervention was required. In one patient it took 4 months to discover an impacted denture in his hypopharynx. Conclusions: A high index of suspicion should be maintained in denture users presenting with a new onset dysphagia particularly when the clinical history is vague. In stridulous patients a tracheostomy may be indicated before denture removal is attempted. 1026: GLUE EAR e HOW READABLE IS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC? Lulu Ritchie, Raj Lakhani, Guy Mole, Parag Patel. St Georges Hospital,