Use of fiber optic endoscopy for removal of upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Impacted foreign bodies (FB) in the upper gastrointestinal tract is a commonly encountered clinical presentation in ENT practice. They include fish bones, coins and food bolus. Currently the commonest way to remove the foreign bodies is with rigid oesophagoscope under general anesthesia. Less expensive, safer fiber-optic endoscope has been used to remove the foreign objects from the upper gastrointestinal tract during last few decades. Whether to use either rigid or fiber optic endoscopy for foreign body removal is still a controversial topic. We were able to demonstrate with evidence that fibro-optic endoscopy could be used as a first line approach in majority of the carefully selected patients, with a high success rate.

Ceylon Journal of Otolaryngology Vol.4(1) 2015 pp. 17-19