Background/Aim: Foreign bodies (FBs) of the upper aero digestive tract often present as medical emergencies and it is common in children especially under the age of five years. The aim of this study was to present our experience with the management of Pharyngo-oesophageal FBs in two federal health institutions in Nigeria over a 10-years period. Methods: It was a retrospective study. Records of all the patients with pharygo-oesophageal foreign bodies who were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency unit and ENT clinic was retrieved from the hospital medical record department. The information that was extracted include their demographic data, time of ingestion to presentation, presenting symptoms, type of FB ingested, treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. X-ray soft tissue of the neck (anteroposterior and lateral views) of the patients was also reviewed. Results: A total of 57 patients have complete data for this study. There were 43 males and 14 females given a male to female ratio of 3:1. Their age range was 9 months to 86 years with a mean of 32.8 ± 23.4SD. Majority (38.6%) of the patients are in the age range of 0-20 years. At presentation, their major complaints were dysphagia (89.5%) and odynophagia (84.2%). More than half of the patients (57.9%) presented within 24 hours of ingestion of foreign body. The most common ingested foreign body was dentures, which were noted in 18(31.6%) patients. All patients except one had rigid endoscopy. More than half (61.4%) of the FB impaction was seen at the upper third of the oesophagus. Complications recorded are failed procedures in 3 (5.3%) patients, foreign bodies were not seen in 2(3.5%) patients and one (1.8%) had subcutaneous emphysema. Conclusion: Accidental foreign body ingestion of the oesophagus was still a major problem among children. Commonest foreign object recorded in this study was denture. Large percentages of FBs ingested were at home. Rigid oesophagoscopic removal is still the safest method of treatment. Health education as to its prevention and early presentation to health facility will prevent morbidity and mortality
