Can small fish bones get stuck in the esophagus

Small fish bones may get stuck in the esophagus, often caused by eating too quickly, chewing insufficiently, or swallowing by mistake. Depending on the depth of penetration, it is necessary to choose home treatment or seek medical attention.

1. Causes of snagging: Fish bone snagging in the esophagus is often caused by rapid swallowing or distracted attention, and is more likely to occur in children and the elderly. The esophagus has three physiological narrowing points, and fish bones often get stuck in the first narrowing, which is the throat. It is recommended to focus on chewing carefully while eating and avoid talking or laughing loudly.

2. Home handling: When confirming that the fish bones are shallow and visible, try using tweezers to remove them. It is ineffective to drink vinegar and may irritate mucous membrane. Swallowing Rice and vegetable roll may aggravate the injury. The correct method is to use a tongue depressor to press down on the tongue, and operate with a flashlight and tweezers. If it fails, stop immediately.

3. Medical intervention: Emergency treatment is required when there is persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, or drooling. Otolaryngology commonly uses laryngoscopy for removal, and deep puncture requires esophageal barium meal or CT positioning. Esophageal endoscopy surgery under general anesthesia is suitable for cases where the muscle layer is punctured, and postoperative fasting for 6 hours is required.

4. Prevention of complications: Untreated fish bones may lead to esophageal perforation and mediastinal infection. Seeking medical attention within 24 hours can reduce the risk. Postoperative use of cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefuroxime and amoxicillin clavulanate potassium to prevent infection. The pain can be relieved by taking ibuprofen orally.

5. Protection for high-risk groups: People wearing dentures, children, and those who drink alcohol should pay special attention. Choose less spiny fish such as pomfret and hairtail, and manually remove fine spines before cooking. Use a specialized filter to separate fish bones. Elderly people are advised to choose fish balls and other processed products.

The method for treating esophageal fish bones should be selected according to the specific situation. For superficial visible bones, caution should be exercised when trying home treatment, but if discomfort occurs, immediate attention should be paid to the ear, nose, and throat department of the hospital. Daily attention should be paid to completely separate fish meat from thorns before consumption, and maintain a quiet environment to avoid distractions during the eating process. Regularly check the fixation of dentures, and adult supervision is required for children's meals. Choosing varieties without muscle spines such as cod and salmon can effectively prevent it, and it is recommended to filter the fish soup before drinking. Mastering the Heimlich first aid method can help in dealing with emergencies.