IMPACTION OF A TOBACCO-FILLED PLASTIC PACKAGE IN THE OESOPHAGUS OF A COVID-19 PATIENT: A CASE REPORT.

Norsyamira Aida Mohamad Umbaik^2*, Muhammad Nasri Abu Bakar¹, Muhammad Hazim Sharfudin¹ and Irfan Mohamad².

¹Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra, 18000 Kuala Krai, Kelantan, Malaysia.

²Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

Foreign bodies in the oesophagus, specifically food objects, are common encounters in ORL practice. In contrast, foreign body impaction involving non-food objects is rare and can be difficult to manage. We report a case of a prisoner with a positive COVID-19 status who had an impaction of a tobacco-filled plastic package in the cervical oesophagus. Non-surgical methods were attempted but failed. Rigid oesophagoscopy was performed following COVID-19 operating theatre protocols for aerosol-generating procedures. The foreign body was successfully removed using a three-hand technique without complications.

Keywords: COVID-19, Foreign body, Obstruction, Oesophageal, Oesophagoscopy.

Corresponding author: Norsyamira Aida Mohamad Umbaik, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

norsyamira85@gmail.com

Brunei Int Med J.2024;20:85-88