FLEXIBLE VERSUS RIGID ESOPHAGOSCOPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN BODY IMPACTION

Background: Foreign body(FB) impaction accounts for 4% of emergency endoscopies in clinical practice. Flexible endoscopy(FE) is a recommended therapeutic option because it can be performed under local anesthesia, it is cost effective and is well tolerated. Rigid endoscopy (RG) under general anesthesia is another option and is advantageous in some circumstances. The aim of the study is to compare efcacy and safety of exible and rigid esophagoscopy in esophageal foreign body removal. Methods: It is a prospective study done in E.N.T department in KIMS MEDICAL COLLEGE, Amalapuram, which includes 50 patients with impacted foreign body esophagus. Parameters like type of foreign body, location of impacted foreign body are included. The study analyzies the type of procedure the patient have undergone, the intra operative and post operative complications. Results: This prospective cohort study includes 50 patients who have undergone surgical procedure for removal of impacted foreign body. Flexible esophagoscopy is performed in 30 patients and rigid esophagoscopy is performed in 20 patients . The most frequent complications are mucosal erosion, mucosal edema, and ulceration. Conclusion: Flexible esophagoscopy and rigid esophagoscopy are equally safe and effective for removal of impacted esophageal foreign body.