Foreign body impaction in esophagus: experiences at Ear-Nose-Throat Clinic in Tuzla, 2003-2013.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to report our experience in the management of foreign body (FB) impaction in esophagus in the Ear-Nose-Throat Clinic, University Clinical Center of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-one patients (44 males, 27 females; mean age 32.99±28.57 years; range 1 to 81 years) who admitted to our clinic between January 2003 and December 2013 with a history of a FB in esophagus were retrospectively analyzed including head and neck examination. All patients were performed rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia. RESULTS A total of 32 FBs were detected in children (23 males, 9 females; mean age 4.6 years; range 1 to 11, mod 1) with coins being the most common (56.31%). A total of 39 FBs were detected in adults (21 males, 18 females; mean age 56.2 years; range 16 to 81) with bones and food being the most common (43.6%). Foreign bodies impacted in the upper esophageal sphincter in 87.5% of children and in 66.7% of adults. The duration of localization of FBs in esophagus was between one hour and six months. All procedures were performed without complications; the FBs were completely extracted without the requirement to repeat the procedure. CONCLUSION Our study results suggest that use of rigid endoscope is reliable in removing FBs in the esophagus.