Long Standing Esophageal Perforation due to Foreign Body Impaction in Children: A Therapeutic Challenge in a Resource

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

11.3K

Ngo Nonga Bernadette1, Jean Jacques Ze2, Angele O Pondy3

  • 1Department of Surgery and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Case Reports in Pediatrics
|September 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Late esophageal perforation from foreign body impaction in children is rare. Successful surgical outcomes were achieved in two pediatric cases in Cameroon, despite significant delays and severe sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body impaction in the esophagus can lead to severe complications.
  • Esophageal perforation in children presents unique surgical challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • Late presentation significantly increases morbidity and mortality risks.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases of esophageal perforation due to foreign body impaction were reported.
  • Presentations were significantly delayed (12 and 40 days post-impaction).
  • Both cases presented with severe sepsis, complicating the clinical picture.

Findings:

  • Successful surgical intervention was performed for both pediatric patients.
  • Despite delayed presentation and severe sepsis, excellent surgical outcomes were achieved.
  • This highlights the feasibility of managing complex esophageal perforations in resource-limited environments.

Implications:

  • This study underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention for esophageal foreign bodies in children.
  • It demonstrates that complex esophageal perforations can be successfully managed even in challenging settings with limited resources.
  • Further research into optimizing surgical techniques and reducing delays in diagnosis is warranted for pediatric esophageal emergencies.

More Related Videos

An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function09:40

An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function

Published on: April 17, 2020

15.2K
Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh10:52

Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh

Published on: September 11, 2021

5.9K

Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction01:22

Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction

Esophageal perforation is a severe medical condition characterized by a breach in the integrity of the esophageal wall. This breach can occur due to various factors such as trauma, medical procedures, or underlying diseases. When the esophageal wall is compromised, it allows food, fluids, and digestive juices into the chest cavity or adjacent structures, leading to potential complications and health risks.
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
660
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:28

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
790
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
984
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
736
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:21

Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Individuals with Barrett's esophagus are often asymptomatic, but they may experience symptoms commonly associated with GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. Additional symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool (which may appear black, tarry, or bloody), and episodes of vomiting.
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure...
1.2K
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
1.2K