Outcomes and Complication Rates of Rigid Esophagoscopy for Foreign Body Extraction: A Comparison Between Intubated and Non-Intubated Patients

Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is a frequent clinical emergency, often requiring endoscopic intervention. While rigid esophagoscopy (RE) is widely used for foreign body removal, the choice between intubated and non-intubated approaches remains unclear. This research aims to compare the outcomes and complication rates among intubated and non-intubated rigid esophagoscopy for esophageal foreign body extraction. This prospective cohort study involved 170 adult cases having rigid esophagoscopy for foreign body removal. Cases have been separated into 2 groups: intubated (number = 85) and non-intubated (number = 85). Demographic data, procedure duration, success rates, complications, and postoperative recovery were compared among the 2 groups. The study found no significant variances in age, sex, BMI, or comorbidities between the two groups. Both approaches had high success rates (95.3% vs. 92.9%) with low complication rates. However, the intubated group had longer procedure times (25.4 ± 7.1 minutes vs. 22.3 ± 6.8 minutes, p = 0.02) and greater postoperative pain scores (4.5 ± 2.0 against 3.5 ± 1.8, p = 0.007). Hospital stays were also longer for the intubated group (3.1 ± 1.2 days against 2.6 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in post-discharge complications or readmission rates. Both intubated and non-intubated rigid esophagoscopy are safe and effective for foreign body removal. While non-intubated approaches may reduce procedure time and postoperative discomfort, intubated esophagoscopy provides added safety for complex cases. The choice of method must be based on patient-specific factors and procedural complexity.