[Esophageal Foreign Body].

Esophageal foreign bodies such as food lumps, fish bones, dentures, press through packages (PTP), coins, and button batteries are well known, and those caused by accidental ingestion of foreign bodies are often treated by multiple departments. Risk factors such as dementia, psychiatric disorders, and malignancy have been pointed out as underlying diseases. The first choice is minimally invasive removal by X-ray fluoroscopy or endoscopy, but surgery is often indicated in refractory cases. Surgical methods include removal and drainage of the foreign body. In the past, open thoracotomy was reported, but in recent years, thoracoscopic surgery has become the standard. In this article, we will introduce the literature on surgery for thoracic esophageal foreign bodies, including our own experience.