Foreign bodies of the esophagus the San Pablo Hospital experience.

Between 1978 and 1990, a total of 76 cases of esophageal foreign bodies were taken to the operating suite at San Pablo Hospital. Of the 76 patients, 26 were in the pediatric age group, and 56 adults. Dysphagia and foreign body sensation were the predominant complaint. The radiographic study most frequently ordered was soft tissue neck x rays. Coins were the most common foreign body in the pediatric group, while bones were the most frequent in the adult group. Rigid esophagoscopy was the predominant form of treatment in both groups. The majority of cases were performed by the Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon. Several complications occurred and there was one death. For the purpose of analysis and discussion the cases were divided into the pediatric age group and the adults.