Foreign bodies in the upper aero-digestive tract

Abstract

Foreign bodies in the upper aero-digestive tract pose major challenges to the otolaryngologist in both diagnosis and management. Aspirated and ingested foreign bodies are often emergencies, leading to inadequate study and poorly prepared, improper attempts at removal. The authors share their experience in managing upper aero-digestive tract foreign bodies in Omani population at a district hospital, present a statistical review of 58 cases, and highlight certain critical scenarios as well as cultural variations specific to the region.