Accidental denture ingestion in two teaching hospitals in Lagos

Abstract

Background: Accidental foreign body ingestion is a common cause for emergency treatment. Dentures can be accidentally ingested.
Objective: This study investigated accidental denture ingestion, and management outcome.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study involving patients at 2 teaching hospitals in south-west Nigeria, who presented in the emergency room within a period of two years (2016-2018) with a previous history of wearing dentures were included. Information collected included patients' demography, presenting complaints, investigations done, type of dentures/prostheses, surgical procedure performed and outcome.
Results: A total of 20 cases were seen during the period of the study. The age range was from 28-75 years. More males 16 (80.0%) presented than females 4(20.0%). Patients presented with pain on swallowing 9(45.0%), while 11(55.0%) gave a positive history of ingesting dentures. Dentures ingestion occurred more frequently while taking medications 12(60.0%). Most patients (80.0%) presented with denture impaction in the upper oesophagus, while 3 (15.0%) were lodged in the hypopharynx. All dentures ingested were more often upper dentures 13(65.0%) and made of acrylic with no metallic attachment. Most dentures were used for more than five years (76.5%). Radiographs showed widened prevertebral shadow in 13(65.0%) patients, air trapping and widening of hypopharynx in 3(15.0%). Seventeen of the 20 ingested dentures were successfully removed without complication. Complications included oesophageal perforation with secondary mediastinitis, and oesophageal mucosal tear without perforation.
Conclusion: Denture use after more than 5years, with or without signs of lack of retention have a higher tendency to be ingested accidentally, leading to impaction in the upper oesophagus. The impacted denture can be successfully removed through oesophagoscopy.

Key words: Dentures, Accidental Ingestion, Impaction.