Microscopic removal of an embedded foreign body from the hypopharynx: report of two cases

Incidents of foreign bodies in the hypopharynx, especially fish bones, are very common. In most cases, these bones can be easily located and removed. However, in other cases, they become embedded in the pharyngeal wall and cannot be located, even by fiberoptic endoscopy and rigid esophagoscopy. Left in place, these foreign bodies can eventually cause serious complications. We treated two patients who had an embedded foreign body in the hypopharyngeal wall that we were unable to locate by fiberoptic endoscopy and rigid esophagoscopy. Ultimately, we performed direct laryngoscopy and were able to locate and remove the foreign bodies with the aid of a microscope.