Navi Mumbai: A 74-year-old woman underwent a successful complex surgery for the removal of a denture lodged in her esophagus at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. The patient, Sandhya Thakur (name changed), had been suffering from severe swallowing difficulties and discomfort for six days before seeking medical attention.
A gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy revealed the denture was stuck just below the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Attempts to retrieve it using endoscopic instruments, including rat-tooth forceps, were unsuccessful due to deep embedding in the esophageal mucosa—making surgical intervention the only viable option.
A multidisciplinary surgical team led by Dr. Chandra Veer Singh, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head and Neck Oncosurgeon, along with Dr. Tirathram Kaushik, Consultant Oncosurgeon and Minimal Access Surgeon, and Dr. Sheetal Radia, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head and Neck Oncosurgeon, performed an esophagostomy through a neck incision under general anesthesia. The lodged denture was successfully removed in one piece, and the esophagus was carefully repaired using 3-0 PDS sutures. A surgical drain was placed, and the incision was closed in layers.
“Following the surgery, the patient is stable and under close post-operative monitoring for any potential complications such as infection or continued swallowing issues. She is expected to make a full recovery under the care of our team,” said Dr Singh.
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“Foreign body ingestion, particularly among the elderly, is a serious medical concern. If not treated promptly, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as perforation, infection, or sepsis. This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, advanced surgical intervention, and multidisciplinary expertise in ensuring positive outcomes,” Doctor added.
“This was a high-risk case requiring surgical precision and teamwork. We're proud to have successfully managed it and provided the patient with relief and recovery,” said the doctor.
