Unusual foreign bodies in upper aero digestive tract – Our experience at tertiary care centre

Abstract

Foreign bodies ingestion is especially common in the pediatric age group, whereas in adults occur accidently or among those with psychiatric disorders, mental retardation, prisoners and alcoholics, Preexisting GI tract abnormalities, such as previous surgery, strictures, or functional abnormalities, increases the risk of a swallowed foreign body becoming lodged at the site of the abnormality.This retrospective study was conducted in 32 patients with upper aero digestive tract unusual foreign bodies presenting to our department on emergency basis in a duration of one year. This Study was conducted in ENT department tertiary care Centre in duration of 2021-2022, 32 patients presented with unusual FB in upper aero digestive tract were treated in our department on an emergency basis. There were 14 male (43.75%) and 18 female (56.25%) ranging in age from 2 to 62 years. The main symptoms patients complained were difficulty in swallowing and pain. Detailed history with examination of nasal cavity, oral cavity and pharynx by indirect laryngoscopy and finally X-ray or CT scan were the diagnostic tools as required. The location of the FB was in the esophagus, Pyriform sinus, hypopharynx in decreasing order.The treatment consisted of rigid endoscopy and foreign body removal under general anesthesia or sedation. No major complications occurred in procedure except one in with iatrogenic esophageal perforation that was managed conservatively. Endoscopy is a reliable method in the treatment of upper aero digestive tract foreign body (FB) impaction.