Clinical experience of removing dentures from aerodigestive tract

A denture as an aerodigestive tract foreign body continues to present challenges to otolaryngologists. Records of patients who presented with a denture as an aerodigestive tract foreign body were retrospectively reviewed.

Records of patients treated during the last 8 years were reviewed to gather information on the age, sex, and presenting symptoms of the patient, location of the denture, radiographic findings, and endoscopic procedure required.

Our review identified 15 patients, with the mean and median age being 59.6 and 63 years, respectively. One patient presented with a denture in the valleculae, 4 patients with a denture in the airway, and 10 patients with a denture in the hypopharynx/esophagus. Rigid endoscopy was performed to remove the dentures in most patients. An esophagotomy was required in 1 patient.

Fixed partial dentures should be advised by dentists, especially in patients who have predisposing factors such as old age, epilepsy, mental retardation, or alcoholism.