An impacted live fish in the oropharynx of an 8-year-old child

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To present an atypical case of a live fish lodged in the throat of a pediatric patient and discuss its management.METHODS:Design: Case ReportSetting: Tertiary Government HospitalPatient: OneRESULT: An 8-year-old girl swallowed a live fish when she accidentally fell in a body of water. Failed attempts to remove the live fish prompted consult in the emergency room of our hospital, where removal of the foreign body was successfully done using Mixter right angle forceps assisted with a gloved finger. Transient cyanosis and unresponsiveness during extraction was overcome with oxygen by mask and she regained consciousness. She was allowed to go home as no other untoward events or complications were observed.CONCLUSION: All ingested foreign bodies particularly in children require immediate attention. The survival of patients with upper aerodigestive and airway foreign bodies depends on early recognition and prompt multidisciplinary management.