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Fish bones in the vallecula and tongue base: removal with the rigid nasal endoscope

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Julian Savage
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Natalie Brookes
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Simon Lloyd
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Ian Mackay
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.

Abstract

The tongue base and vallecula are common anatomical sites for impaction of inadvertently swallowed fish bones. Many techniques for their removal have been described but this apparently simple procedure can still pose a surgical challenge. We describe a previously unreported technique using rigid endoscopy with the 4 mm 30 degree Hopkins’ rod as a visual aid for transoral removal of the impacted bone. The technique has proved to be very well tolerated by the patient and more acceptable in terms of morbidity, time and resources than either flexible endoscopy or rigid endoscopy under general anaesthetic.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2002

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