Emergency management of throat puncture injury

Throat puncture by a fish bone is usually caused by a fish bone scratching or piercing the throat. The object can be removed using forceps or an electronic laryngoscope, as detailed below.

1. Foreign Body Forceps

If the fish bone is deeply embedded—located at the base of the tongue, lateral pharyngeal wall, pyriform sinus, or vallecula—the doctor may first use an indirect laryngoscope to check whether the bone is visible. If it can be seen, it can then be removed with foreign body forceps.

2. Electronic Laryngoscope

If the fish bone is deeply lodged, removal under guidance of an electronic laryngoscope is recommended for better accuracy and safety. Patients should avoid swallowing food randomly, as this may cause the bone to scratch the mucosa or blood vessels, or become embedded in the tissue, leading to infection or inflammation.

3. Fish Bone Tweezers

Patients with a throat puncture should go to the otorhinolaryngology (ENT) department for treatment. Doctors will use a tongue depressor to examine whether a fish bone is present on the surface of the tonsils. In most cases, the fish bone can be directly removed with tweezers, and the sensation of a foreign body in the throat typically disappears after removal.

Special Reminder: Never attempt to swallow large bites of food such as steamed buns, bread, or rice to push the fish bone down, as this may drive the bone deeper, causing impaction and more serious complications. If swallowing large mouthfuls of food fails to dislodge the bone, do not try further self-treatment. Sometimes the bone may have already been dislodged, but the sensation of being pricked remains. In such cases, wait and observe. If discomfort persists, seek medical attention immediately. This is the most appropriate approach when dealing with a fish bone injury.