RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies of severe complications induced by esophageal foreign bodies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 44 patients with severe complications of esophageal foreign bodies treated from July 2004 to July 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The type of complications was recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio of severe complications in patients with esophageal foreign bodies was 9.05% (44/486). The most common type of foreign body was animal bone, with a total of 34 cases (77.3%); Onset of the disease were 2-40 days, mostly above 6 days, accounting for 61.4%. Severe complications of esophageal foreign bodies included 16 cases (36.3%) of simple esophageal perforation or combined with esophageal regional inflammation, 14 cases (31.8%) of cervical abscess, 7 cases (15.9%) of abscess around esophagus, 3 cases (6.8%) of mediastinal abscess, one case (2.3%) of cervical subcutaneous emphysema, one case of tracheoesophageal fistula, one case (2.3%) of aortic fracture, and one case (2.3%) of subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm. Among the 44 patients with severe complications, 40 patients (90.9%) were cured and 3 patients (6.8%) died. One case didn't receieve treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Occurrence of the severe complications induced by esophageal foreign bodies is closely related to the type of foreign bodies and time before presentation. Early diagnosis and prompt treatments for esophageal foreign bodies are crucial for preventing of severe complications.</p>