Description:
Background:
Foreign body (FB) ingestion and impaction in the esophagus Constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most of the impacted foreign bodies in the esophagus require removal. And it is mostly seen in both children and adult but children being the most affected, immediate life-threatening like obstruction or perforation of the UGI, bleeding, ulcerations, or fistulas can result, these conditions can be treated in a definitive manner by appropriately trained and skilled practitioner within hospital emergency centers. This study will reviews the pattern and management of esophageal foreign bodies at ENT department done in our local setting by our general surgeons.
Objectives.
To highlight issues, by outlining the common esophageal foreign bodies, determine the Challenges in the management of patient having esophageal foreign bodies, identification the risk factors for developing complications after FB ingestion, lastly to determine the complications of esophageal foreign bodies.
Methods.
A Retrospective Cross Section hospital based study was reviewed a minimum sample size of 95 patients with esophageal foreign bodies who attending ENT services at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) hospital between January 2012 and December 2015 inclusive.
Result.
A total of 95 patients were included with age ranging from 1 to 85 years. Among the patients with foreign body in esophagus 53 (55.8%) were male while female patients were 42 (44.2%), the most common foreign body was coins 71(74.7%). The foreign bodies were seen most commonly among children of age 0-4 years 46(48.4%), the foreign bodies were successfully removed without complications in 88(92.6%). Complication rate was 7(7.4%), esophageal perforation, hydro pneumothorax and primary hemorrhage were the most complications occurred 4.4%. Direct Rigid Esophagoscopy was most common procedure performed to remove the foreign body 91(95.8%).
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Conclusion.
The total ENT cases seen within the study period were 5670 cases giving a prevalence of 1.67%. Esophageal foreign bodies continue to be common in children and majority swallowed a coin. Rigid Esophagoscopy procedures under general anesthesia are the main treatment modalities performed. Prevention is highly recommended whereby parents should be educated to keep a close eye on their children and keep objects which can be foreign bodies away from children’s reach.