Objective To investigate the effect of visiting time on the incidence of complications, hospital expenses and stays, and to provide theoretical basis for the timely treatment of patients with esophageal foreign bodies. Methods Data of 130 patients with diagnosis of esophageal foreign bodies in the Drum Tower Hospital from June 2010 to June 2017 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups( Group A, visiting time≤24 hours;Group B, visiting time>24 hours) according to duration from ingestion to effective treatment. Clinical features including gender, age, locations and types of foreign bodies, complications, therapeutic methods, hospitalization stays and costs were analyzed. Results The most common foreign bodies that were swallowed were fish bones in both groups [ 40. 0％ ( 20/50) ,50. 0％( 40/80) ] , followed by pig and chicken bones, dentures and jujube pips. Foreign bodies commonly blocked the upper and middle esophageal tract [ 98. 0％ ( 49/50 ) , 96. 3％ ( 77/80 ) ] , but rarely the lower esophageal tract. Compared with group A, the incidence of complications [ 61. 3％ ( 49/80) VS 36. 0％ ( 18/50) ] , hospitalization expenses ( 1. 28 ± 1. 14 thousand yuan VS 0. 77 ± 0. 92 thousand yuan ) , and stays ( 9. 06 ± 10. 08 d VS 5. 22 ± 3. 32 d ) of group B were significantly higher ( all P < 0. 05 ) . Conclusion Treatment within 24 hours results in fewer complications, less costs and shorter postoperative hospitalization stays for patients with esophaged foreign bodies.