[Extraction of foreign bodies in the esophagus. Experience in 215 cases]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze our experience in management of foreign bodies in esophagus.

Background: At present, the flexible endoscope is usually the instrument of choice for foreign bodies of the esophagus. The rigid endoscope is less expensive, but the advantages of the flexible endoscope are numerous.

Material, methods: Management of 215 foreign bodies of esophagus are reported. The flexible endoscope was used to manage these foreign bodies. The patients comprised 151 children and 64 adults.

Results: In children, coins were the commonest foreign bodies (119 cases), whereas in adults, the commonest cause was impacted meat (35 cases). Two hundred fourteen foreign bodies (99.5%) were successfully managed endoscopically. The surgery rate was 0.5%. There was no morbidity or mortality. In fifteen adults we diagnosed significant associated medical conditions: benign esophageal stricture in eleven, esophago-gastric junction carcinoma in one, two patients with esophageal motility disorders and remaining with Plummer-Vinson Syndrome.

Conclusions: The forward-viewing flexible endoscope has became the instrument of choice in diagnosis and management of esophageal foreign bodies.