Perils of Prolonged Impaction of Oesophageal Foreign Bodies

Ill-conceived effort at removal of impacted foreign bodies (FBs) in oesophagus vies with delay in removal as the causes of morbidity and mortality. Most oesophageal FBs are safely removed endoscopically when attempted early. However, large sharp FBs like dentures and meat bones can get deeply embedded in the wall with prolonged impaction or injudicious attempts at removal leading to life-threatening mediastinitis. Open surgery to access the oesophageal-impacted FB in such an event is hazardous. This report emphasizes the need for early site-specific surgical approaches that may be required, albeit rarely, for oesophageal-impacted FBs, where attempts at endoscopic removal have failed or complications have ensued.