Management of oesophageal foreign bodies in children.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pattern and outcome of management of retained oesophageal foreign bodies in children.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, January 1991 to December 2000.

SUBJECTS: One hundred and eight paediatric patients, aged 0-14 years managed for retained oesophageal foreign bodies.

INTERVENTION: The foreign bodies were removed endoscopically, using either a larynoscope or a rigid oesophagoscope, under general anaesthesia.

RESULTS

There were 108 patients, with a mean age of 3.0 +/- 0.8 years and age range of 23 days to 14 years. The male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Sixty four (59.3%) patients were within 1-5 year age group. Coins constituted 79.6% of the retained foreign bodies. Over 90% of patients presented within the first four days of the incidence. The dominant complaints were drooling of saliva in 37 (40.2%) and difficulty in swallowing in 35 (38.1%) patients. The commonest sites of the foreign body retention were the upper third of oesophagus 52(48.2%) and the hypopharynx 36(33.3%). The main complications following the foreign body removal were oesophageal perforations 4(3.7%) and lacerations 16(15%).

CONCLUSION

Retained oesophageal foreign body is a common childhood health hazard. Early diagnosis and prompt skillful removal are necessary for a satisfactory outcome.