Removal of an Impacted Oesophageal Denture through Transcervical Oesophagotomy and Literature Review

We present the case of a 46-year old man with a two-year history of losing his denture presenting with
cachexia and a two-month history of dysphagia to both liquids and solids associated with
odynophagia. Review at the ENT department where a diagnostic rigid oesophagoscopy was done
under general anaesthesia showed a denture impacted to the wall of the oesophagus at 17 cm from
the incisor. Attempts at retrieval were unsuccessful as the denture was deeply embedded in the
oesophageal wall and bled easily on attempted removal. He subsequently underwent a 2-stage
surgical management approach by the cardiothoracic surgical team. Patient first underwent nutritional
rehabilitation for a month through a created feeding gastrostomy tube via a limited midline
laparotomy. He then had an open transcervical oesophagotomy and removal of the denture. Currently
doing well after surgery and tolerating normal oral diet. Even though most dentures are radiolucent,
diagnostic studies including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, Barium Oesophagogram and CT scan
of the neck and chest are still essential. Lateral neck radiographs might be useful in detecting
radiopaque clasps on dental prostheses. Though endoscopic removal is the standard modality of
treatment, successful open surgery removal is possible in the event of failed or contraindication to
endoscopic removal.