Foreign body in the esophagus: a review

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Emergency Medicine
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Esophageal foreign bodies are a frequent emergency presentation.
• Current treatment strategies lack standardized guidelines, leading to debate.
• Effective management requires a systematic approach combining history, examination, and investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for managing esophageal foreign body ingestion.
• To provide a structured approach for initial patient evaluation.
• To outline and compare various management alternatives, including their pros, cons, and applicability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on esophageal foreign bodies.
• Synthesis of evidence to formulate clinical practice guidelines.
• Analysis of different diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

• Guidelines cover initial patient assessment, including history and physical examination.
• Detailed review of endoscopic and non-endoscopic treatment options.
• Discussion of factors influencing the choice of management strategy.

Conclusions:

• Standardized guidelines are crucial for consistent and effective patient care.
• The developed guidelines offer a framework for managing esophageal foreign bodies.
• Evidence-based recommendations aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment variability.