Extraction of minute pharyngeal foreign bodies with the videoendoscope

The present report describes how minor foreign bodies in the pharynx can be detected and extracted with a videoendoscope. A videoendoscope and biopsy forceps were used for the extraction of minute pharyngeal foreign bodies. The patients were examined and treated in a sitting position. The endoscope was inserted through the nasal passage. Ten minute pharyngeal foreign bodies (all fish bones) were extracted by this method. The advantages of this intervention were that 1) the videoendoscope showed clear dynamic color images of the minute foreign body on a color video monitor and provided excellent resolution and recording, and thus, its diagnostic accuracy was high; 2) minute fish bones located in the pharynx, which are hard to examine, could be well documented; 3) accurate and fine interventions could be performed, and all of the foreign bodies could be extracted quickly; 4) foreign bodies as thin as 0.15 mm could be extracted; 5) the diameter of this videoendoscope was relatively small, resulting in less discomfort for patients, even children; and 6) pernasal endoscopy allowed the physician to examine patients who had a strong gag reflex. Extraction of minute pharyngeal foreign bodies with a videoendoscope is a reliable procedure of office-based endoscopy of the pharynx.