Clinicodemographic Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Upper Aerodigestive Tract Foreign Bodies in the Southern Philippines Medical Center: A Five-Year Retrospective Review

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinicodemographic profile of patients with foreign
bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract and their treatment outcomes.

Methods:

            Design:           Retrospective review of records

            Setting:           Tertiary Government Training Hospital

            Participants: Records of 304 patients diagnosed with aerodigestive foreign bodies

Results: Three hundred-four (304) patients were included. The median age was 5.26 years in the pediatric age group and 42.53 years in the  adult age group, with a male-to female ratio = 1.97:1. Foreign bodies were ingested in 291 (96%) patients while aspiration occurred in 13 (4%). Overall, 211 (69%) of cases involved the pediatric population (<19 years) and 93 (31%) the adult population. The most common foreign bodies reported were coins (63.5%), food (18.1%), and dentures (11.5%). Most esophageal foreign bodies (244/291; 83%) were seen at the cricopharyngeal level in all age groups. The foreign body was removed successfully in 288/291 (98%) of ingestion cases. All 13 cases of foreign body aspiration were successfully removed by bronchoscopy. All patients were discharged improved.

Conclusion: Most upper aerodigestive tract foreign bodies involved the pediatric age group.
Predisposing conditions were mainly due to accidental ingestion and aspiration while playing in the pediatric population and negligence in eating among adults. Almost all ingestion cases were successfully treated with esophagoscopy, while all aspirations were treated successfully with bronchoscopy. Most intraoperative and postoperative complications who were managed conservatively by observation, although some cases required referral to other surgical departments and were treated surgically. All patients were discharged improved