Abstract
Introduction: Obstructive foreign bodies of the pharynx are a relatively
rare but dangerous emergency in ENT practice. Objective: To investigate
cases of pharyngeal obstructive foreign bodies in the ENT by studying
its epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Method: a
cross-sectional prospective study of 6 years from January 2015 to
December 2020 was carried out in the ENT and cervico-facial surgery
department. Results: we recorded 34 cases of pharyngeal obstruction by
foreign bodies. The patients were aged 3 months to 39 years and the sex
ratio was 1.83. The age group ranged between 3 month and 3 years was the
most represented with 47.06% cases. The respiratory distress (52.94%)
and dysphagia (70.59%) were the main cause of consultation in the ENT.
Most Foreign bodies were toys and bottle caps in respectively 52.93%
and 29.41% cases. The topography was predominantly hypopharyngeal
(82.35%). The extraction was endoscopic (64.70%) and chairside
(35.29%), with a favorable outcome in 97.06% of cases. Conclusion:
pharyngeal obstructive foreign bodies constitutes an absolute ENT
emergency, the prevention of which is based on rigorous surveillance of
preschool children.