Revolutionary Laser Technique Saves Man from Surgery

Revolutionary Laser Technique Saves Man from Surgery

Laser-assisted endoscopic removal recently saved a 45-year-old patient at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The man accidentally swallowed his denture during a meal. Consequently, the object became lodged deep within his upper esophagus. Doctors initially feared that the sharp metallic clasps would tear the esophageal lining. However, they successfully used advanced technology to avoid a risky open surgery.

Imaging studies confirmed that the dental prosthesis sat firmly at the cricopharynx. This area is a sensitive junction between the food pipe and windpipe. Therefore, removing such a foreign body presents extreme difficulty for medical teams. Traditional tools like forceps or snares posed a high risk of internal injury. Consequently, the specialists at the Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences (ILGPS) opted for a laser-based strategy. For clinicians looking to enhance their skills in such procedures, pursuing a certification course in endoscopy provides essential expertise.

Benefits of Laser-Assisted Endoscopic Removal

This laser-assisted endoscopic removal approach involved using a precise laser beam to fragment the denture. Under endoscopic guidance, doctors carefully broke the prosthesis into smaller pieces inside the esophagus. This fragmentation allowed them to disengage the sharp metallic clasps from the esophageal wall safely. Additionally, they inserted a protective overtube to shield the surrounding tissues during the extraction.

The procedure proved highly successful and minimized the patient’s recovery time. Open surgery for such cases often carries considerable morbidity and risks of infection. Fortunately, the patient recovered well and avoided these complications. This case demonstrates how innovative laser applications can transform emergency gastroenterological procedures. It also highlights the importance of early intervention in cases of foreign body ingestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is a denture considered a high-risk foreign body?

Denture extraction is risky because of the large size and sharp metallic clasps. These components can easily tear the esophageal lining or cause life-threatening perforations during standard removal attempts.

Q2: How does a laser help in endoscopic extraction?

A laser beam allows doctors to fragment a large or impacted object into smaller, manageable pieces. This technique makes it easier to disengage the object from the tissue and extract it safely through a protective overtube.

References

1. Delhi doctors remove denture stuck in man’s food pipe using laser cutter – ETHealthworld
2. Laser saves man after denture gets stuck in food pipe – The Times of India
3. Laser-assisted endoscopic removal of a foreign body impacted in the esophagus – PMC (NIH)

Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated from publicly available sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. OC Academy does not exercise editorial control or claim authorship over this content. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and refer to current local and national clinical guidelines.