Methods: The study included 175 patients (99 males, 76 females; mean age 32±2 years; range 0 to 78 years) with esophageal foreign bodies. The patients were evaluated with regard to age, sex, manifestations, time to admission, the kind and localization of foreign bodies, radiographic findings, treatment approaches, length of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality.

Results: Of the study group, 85 patients (45.7%) were ≤20 years of age while 90 patients (51.4%) were above 20 years of age. Foreign bodies were most commonly encountered at the age brackets of 3 to 6 years (56.5%) and 41 to 50 years (51.1%) in patients ≤20 and >20 years old, respectively. Asymptomatic patients accounted for 27.4% of the cases. The most common symptom on presentation was hypersalivation (58.4), followed by odynophagia or failure to swallow (33.7%), dysphagia (32%), and chest pain (9.8%). One patient had a tumoral lesion at the esophagogastric junction. The most common foreign objects found were bone particles (24%), coins (17.7%), and pins (14.8%), the most common localization being the first narrowing and cervical esophagus. Removal was performed under general anesthesia by rigid esophagoscopy (64%) or under direct vision with the use of McGill forceps. No foreign bodies were found in 12 patients (6.9%) during rigid esophagoscopy. Surgical removal was performed in three patients. There were three esophageal perforations due to esophagoscopy and one due to delayed presentation. Mortality occurred in only one patient (0.6%).

Conclusion: Esophageal foreign bodies can be removed safely by endoscopic techniques. Rigid esophagoscopy is a safe and reliable technique for the removal of foreign bodies.