SRI NARAYANI HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE

CASE REPORT:  ENT SURGERY - DENTURE LODGED IN THROAT

On March 14th, 2006, Mr.Doss, a 54 year-old man from a rural village, was brought to our hospital with a complaint of breathing trouble. He was choking, restless, and could not eat or drink. It was reported that his denture accidentally slipped into his throat while gargling before lunch the previous day. It was also reported that a local doctor had been consulted who gave Mr. Doss some injections and advised him to get more advanced treatment at a hospital. He refused, however, and wasted 12 to 16 hours by seeking further treatment locally. The patient’s condition worsened because of dehydration and breathing difficulty. Finally, his sons forced him to receive proper treatment and brought him to the Sri Narayani Hospital & Research Centre.

Mr. Doss and the X-ray that he brought with him were examined.  The X-ray clearly showed the exact place where the denture was seated (Hypo pharynx). The patient was admitted in the I.C.U. for further investigation and treatment. He was rehydrated with I.V.fluids and Anti-Edematous measures. Antibiotics were given and oxygen supplementation was administered in order to maintain O2 saturation to stabilize the general condition of the patient so that he could undergo emergency surgery.

The patient was premedicated and specimen was removed under general anesthesia.  Fibreoptic cable visualized the denture, which was stuck deep into the hypo pharynx. A rigid bronchoscope successfully clipped and removed both ends of the denture’s strings without causing any injury to the throat and endotracheal tube. The patient was kept under observation in the I.C.U. for 48 hours prior to discharge.