The management of foreign bodies in the pharynx and oesophagus using transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy (TNFLO)

INTRODUCTION We describe our experience of the diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies from the pharynx and oesophagus using transnasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy (TNFLO) under local analgesic. The advantages of this novel instrumentation and technique are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were examined with a Pentax 80K Series Digital Video Endoscope after local analgesia. The instrument was passed transnasally examining the oro- and hypopharynx, and then passed into the oesophagus. The presence, type and site of a foreign body could then be established. If a foreign body was detected, such as fish bone, it was extracted using flexible grabbing forceps passed down the instrument channel and delivered through the nasal or oral cavity. The object was then inspected to ensure removal in its entirety. RESULTS Five cases have been successfully managed using TNFLO. CONCLUSIONS TNFLO represents an improvement in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of a selected group of foreign bodies as compared with established methodologies.