FOREIGN BODY ESOPHAGUS:TYPES AND SITE OF IMPACTION

Background: One third of foreign bodies retained in the gastrointestinal tract are present in the esophagus. Their management depends on the anatomic location, shape and size of the foreign body and duration of impaction. The objectives of this study were to determine the age and gender distribution, and site of impaction and type of esophageal foreign bodies in patients reporting with foreign body ingestion. Material Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted at the ENT Department, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, from June 2012 to October 2012. A total of 57 patients were included in the study presenting with foreign body ingestion that underwent esophagoscopy under general anesthesia. The site of impaction and type of foreign body were noted. Results: Out of 57 patients, 37 (65%) were male while female patients were 20 (35%). The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean age of the patients was 14.60 ± 21.13 (01-78) years. The most frequent age group was of 01-10 years with 30 (52.7 %) patients. Common site of impaction was at or above the cricopharynx (68.5%). The most common foreign body was coin (56%). Conclusion: Pain and wound hematoma were the two most common complications in mesh repair in the immediate postoperative period. In the majority of cases right sided, indirect, primary inguinal was recorded