Introduction A retrospective study of Rigid Esophagoscopy, with the suspect of foreign body, was performed in General Hospital Zrenjanin 'Djordje Joanovic', at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology during the period of 1988 - 2007. Results and discussion The result of 517 esophagoscopies performed in the above period was 203 (39.26%) foreign bodies, with the average of 7,8 annually per 100.000 inhabitants. The patients age ranged from 1 to 91 years, (X = 48.98). Considering the gender, there were 95 male patients (46,79%), and 108 female patients (53.21%). The highest number of foreign bodies was found in the patients from the age group 60-69, (43/22.15%). According to the structure type of foreign bodies the most frequent were bones of animal origin (86/42.36%), followed by meat bolus (67/33%), metal coins (23/11.33%), and bodies of vegetable origin (14/6.89%). Metal coins were most frequently found in the age group 1-9. In regard to the level at which a foreign body was found (described in 157 cases, (77.30%)), 94 (59.87%) were found at the pharyngoesophageal junction, 58 (36.94%) were found in middle constriction of oesophagus, and in the area of diaphragmatic constriction and cardia there were 5 (3.18%) cases. The efficiency of removing foreign bodies by rigid esophagoscopy in the above mentioned sample was 99.01% (201/203). In 2 cases (0.99%), due to the impaction of foreign body, the patients were referred to the higher referent tertiary unit institution. Conclusion Foreign bodies represent a constant casuistics in Zrenjanin Municipality, dominantly connected to work of an otorhinolaryngologist on duty. Rigid esophagoscopy is safe and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic method.
Comparison of Endoscopy Alone with Surgery Converted from Endoscopy for the Removal of Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Adults: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center