Question
A few days ago, at home we were eating fish, and the child was nagging to eat it. Unfortunately, it got stuck in their throat, and nothing like vinegar helped. We had some free time and went to an emergency department. The test results showed that it was a foreign object in the esophagus causing perforation. Can a foreign object in the esophagus lead to esophageal perforation?
Answer
It is advisable for you to seek treatment at a regular hospital promptly. Chronic perforation of a foreign object in the esophagus can delay symptoms for several weeks to several months. After esophageal perforation, the patient may experience difficulty eating. Patients with esophageal periaditis or secondary mediastinitis may exhibit fever and increased white blood cells. When a child swallows a foreign object, the exact date of ingestion is often unclear. The foreign object corrodes through the esophageal wall, causing a dense fibrosis reaction around it, or forms a tracheal or bronchial fistula, presenting with fever and persistent coughing. It is essential to seek medical treatment promptly.