On January 6, Quang Binh Friendship Hospital (Quang Tri province) said that it had just successfully received and treated a case of esophageal foreign object, which is a pill still intact in a zinc bag, causing sore throat, chest pain and inability to eat or drink in an elderly patient.
Patient N.T.M (60 years old, residing in Bac Trach commune, Quang Tri province) has a history of joint pain and is using medication for treatment. About a day before being admitted to the hospital, the patient developed sore throat, chest tightness, and a feeling of bloating when swallowing. The patient had previously been examined at a specialized ear, nose and throat medical facility in Ba Don but had not detected a foreign object.
After returning home, the pain gradually increased, drinking water was painful, unable to eat or drink, accompanied by prolonged fatigue, so the patient went to Quang Binh Friendship Hospital for further examination. Through initial examination, the doctor suspected a foreign object in the esophagus and prescribed endoscopic intervention in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum causing anesthesia.
Endoscopic results showed that the foreign object was located at 1/3 of the esophagus, which is a pill still intact in a zinc bag, about 1.5 x 1.5 cm in size. This is a sharp foreign object, with the risk of causing damage to the esophagus mucosa if not treated early.
The endoscopic team successfully removed the foreign object, completely removing the pills still in the zinc shell. Post-operative examination recorded minor scratches in the esophagus, no bleeding, and no dangerous complications. After being out of the coma, the patient no longer had chest pain, could drink milk, and her health improved significantly.
MSc. BSCKII Dinh Duy Lieu - Deputy Head of the Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics of Quang Binh Friendship Hospital recommends that when using medicine, especially for the elderly, it is necessary to carefully peel the packaging, drink medicine with enough water and avoid swallowing hastily to prevent the risk of foreign objects getting stuck in the esophagus.
When there are symptoms of painful swallowing, bloated swallowing, prolonged chest pain or inability to eat or drink, people need to go to a medical facility specializing in gastroenterology for examination and timely treatment.
