Foreign Body Removal from Oesophagus & Trachea
Foreign Body Removal from Oesophagus & Trachea
Foreign body ingestion or aspiration is a potentially life-threatening emergency, particularly in children. Objects lodged in the oesophagus (food pipe) or trachea (windpipe) require prompt, expert endoscopic removal to prevent serious complications including airway obstruction, perforation, and infection. Dr. Vishal Vikas Nair provides emergency and elective endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the aerodigestive tract with the highest standards of safety and care.
Common Foreign Bodies
Oesophageal Foreign Bodies
- Coins (most common in children)
- Fish or chicken bones
- Meat bolus impaction
- Dentures or dental prostheses
- Button batteries (highly dangerous — require emergency removal)
- Toys and small objects
- Magnets
Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies
- Peanuts and nuts (most common aspirated foreign body)
- Seeds and food particles
- Small toys and plastic pieces
- Pins and metallic objects
- Organic material (beans, corn)
Symptoms
Oesophageal Foreign Body
- Difficulty or pain on swallowing (dysphagia/odynophagia)
- Drooling or inability to swallow saliva
- Sensation of something stuck in the throat or chest
- Regurgitation of food
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Refusal to eat (in children)
Tracheobronchial Foreign Body
- Sudden onset choking or coughing episode
- Persistent cough or wheeze
- Stridor (noisy breathing)
- Respiratory distress or cyanosis
- Recurrent pneumonia in the same lung segment
- Reduced air entry on one side
Removal Techniques
Rigid Oesophagoscopy
Performed under general anaesthesia, a rigid oesophagoscope is introduced to directly visualise and remove the foreign body using appropriate grasping forceps. This is the gold standard for most oesophageal foreign bodies.
Rigid Bronchoscopy
The preferred technique for tracheobronchial foreign body removal, performed under general anaesthesia. A rigid bronchoscope provides a secure airway and allows use of optical forceps for safe extraction.
Flexible Endoscopy
Flexible oesophagoscopy or bronchoscopy may be used in selected cases, particularly for soft food bolus impaction or diagnostic evaluation.
Why Prompt Treatment is Critical
- Button batteries cause severe chemical burns within hours — require emergency removal
- Airway foreign bodies can cause complete obstruction and respiratory arrest
- Delayed removal increases risk of perforation, mediastinitis, and pneumonia
- Organic foreign bodies swell over time, making removal more difficult
Why Choose Dr. Vishal Vikas Nair?
- Expert in emergency endoscopic foreign body removal
- Experienced in paediatric and adult aerodigestive foreign bodies
- Advanced rigid and flexible endoscopy equipment
- 24/7 availability for ENT emergencies
- Multidisciplinary team support for complex cases
