Live Fish in the Throat Causing Upper Airway Obstruction and Esophageal Perforation

Having a large live fish stuck in the throat is rare and prompts the urgent need to secure a definitive airway. Such sizeable foreign body (FB) in the aerodigestive tract also poses a constant threat of hollow viscus perforation, and the removal process can be complex. This report describes a fishing mishap causing the impaction of a large live fish in the laryngopharynx and esophagus, leading to respiratory distress and upper esophageal perforation. The paper highlights the mechanism of injury, emergent airway management, anatomical consideration of the location of the FB, and technical challenges in FB removal. After endotracheal intubation, the depth and location of the live fish were confirmed with a plain radiograph. The removal of the live fish was eventually successful after dislodging its fins from the laryngopharynx and rotating its head out from the upper esophagus endoscopically. The upper esophageal perforation healed with non-operative management, and the patient was discharged well.