Condoms used to assist difficult endoscopic removal of impacted upper esophageal foreign bodies

SummaryThe use of a homemade balloon dilator and protector hood composed of condoms for assisting the removal of sharp foreign bodies lodged in the upper esophagus in difficult cases is reported. A conventional endoscopic method failed to remove two sharp bones and two press-through packages became impacted in the upper esophagus. A condom was used to make a balloon dilator that was attached to a flexible endoscope in an attempt to dilate the upper esophageal sphincter to dislodge the impacted sharp bones. This handmade condom balloon dilator succeeded in dislodging the two tightly impacted sharp bones and assisted in removing the impacted objects in the upper esophagus. Additionally, a condom was tied to the distal end of the scope to act as a protector hood to protect the esophageal mucosa when removing the sharp packages. The two impacted press-through packages were pushed into the lower esophagus or stomach and removed uneventfully using the condom protector hood. Subsequent endoscopy disclosed no relevant mucosal damage after the successful removal and the patients did well after discharge from the emergency department. In conclusion, condom-based endoscopic balloon dilatation is a simple and accessible method for assisting the endoscopic removal of tightly impacted, sharp foreign bodies in the upper esophagus. A condom can also be used as a protector hood to avoid mucosal injury when removing impacted, sharp press-through packages when a commercial protector hood is not available.