Removal and management of esophageal foreign bodies

Esophageal foreign bodies and food bolus impaction occur frequently and are a common endoscopic emergency. Though the vast majority of gastrointestinal (GI) bodies do not result in serious clinical sequelae or mortality, it has been estimated that 1500-2750 patients die annually in the United States because of the ingestion of foreign bodies. More recent studies have suggested the mortality from GI foreign bodies to be significantly lower, with no deaths reported in over 850 adults and 1 death in approximately 2200 children with a GI foreign body. As a result of the frequency of this problem and the rare but possible negative consequences it is important to understand the best method for diagnosis, the patients in need of treatment, and the correct techniques for the management of GI foreign bodies. Flexible endoscopy has become the diagnostic and treatment method of choice for both esophageal food impaction and true esophageal foreign bodies because of high success rates and low complication rates. This review covers and focuses on the techniques needed to diagnose and effectively treat esophageal food impaction and true foreign bodies