Clinical Analysis of Transoral Approach Surgery for Removal of Migrating Pharyngeal Foreign Bodies

Objective: To present our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the migrating pharyngeal foreign bodies. Methods: Seven patients with migrating pharyngeal foreign bodies were retrospectively reviewed. The following data were collected: symptoms, time of onset, examination methods, buried sites of foreign bodies, methods of removal, and clinical outcomes. Results: All the 7 patients were diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound and then underwent foreign body removal through the transoral approach surgery under laryngoscope. The transoral removal of foreign bodies failed in 2 cases, in which the foreign bodies were removed via the transcervical approach subsequently. No complications were observed during the follow-up of 1 month. Conclusions: Migrating pharyngeal foreign bodies can be found and located by CT scan or ultrasound preoperatively. It is feasible and minimally invasive to remove migrating pharyngeal foreign bodies with radiofrequency coblation or CO₂ laser through transoral approach surgery under laryngoscope.