Abstract:Objective To study clinical features of esophageal foreign body for improving the abilities of diagnosis and treatment for the disease.MethodsClinical data of 301 patients admitted to our department due to esophageal foreign body from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. Of all the 301 cases, 185 were male and 116 were female with age ranged from 2 to 70 years. 288 cases had a clear history of esophageal foreign body. All patients had the symptoms of dysphagia and pain. The diagnosis of esophageal foreign body was confirmed via Xray examination with barium cotton swallowing. The foreign bodies were removed via different methods according to their features.ResultsThe foreign bodies were removed via rigid esophagoscope in 281 cases, electronic gastroscope in 8, and lateral neck incision in 4 with abscess of retropharyngeal space. The foreign bodies were coughed out or swallowed into stomach in 6 cases and one patient died of excessive hemorrhage.ConclusionsEsophageal foreign body should be diagnosed as early as possible and managed timely. To avoid complications especially serious complications, the treatment strategy should be individualized.