Esophageal foreign bodies in children

Objective: Foreign bodies occasionally become lodged in the esophagus because of the object's size or shape, narrowing of the esophagus lumen, or anatomic abnormalities. The objective was to review our experience with esophageal foreign bodies removal in Ahawaz Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahwaz, Iran. Methodology: A retrospective review was completed of the 240 charts of patients admitted with the final diagnosis of esophageal foreign body during 10 years (March 20, 1993 - March 21, 2002). Sex, age, diagnosis on admission, estimated duration and site of impaction, type and number of foreign body removed and complication were recorded. Results: One hundred fifty six boys and 84 girls aged of 3 months and 14 years were admitted with the diagnosis of esophageal foreign body. Sixty-five percent of patients were four years or less in age, 2.9% had a history of esophageal anomalies requiring operation. The duration of impaction in 85.4% was less than 24 hours. Management consisted of rigid endoscopic removal in 238 patients and open surgical removal in two patients. Postcricoid area was the commonest site of impaction, and more than half (131 cases) of the foreign bodies were coins. Complications were noted in 10%. Conclusion: Foreign bodies of the esophagus are common in young children and are likely to occur whenever a child puts an inedible object in the mouth. A foreign body is removed more safety with a rigid esophagoscope and under general anesthesia.