Retrospective Study of Esophageal Food Bolus Impaction

Abstract

Objective: Establish the recurrence rate of food bolus impaction (FBI) and identify demographic/pathological features associated with food bolus obstruction recurrence. Method: Retrospective case note review of patients (greater than or equal to 16 years) admitted to the hospital with FBI between 2002 and 2007. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, interventions, radiological investigations, and results were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13. Results: A total of 99 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (65 males and 34 females; median ages 59 and 71.5 years), IQR 47-74, and 53-81 years respectively). A total of 22 patients died between first presentation with FBI and the time of this study being conducted (mean follow up 34 months ±17). A total of two patients had recurrences but died before this study. For all other patients without recurrences the mean follow-up was 68 months ±20. Logistic regression demonstrated that only hiatus hernia demonstrated a statistical significance in its association with FBI recurrence (OR 4.77 95% CI 1.15-19.82, P = .032). All other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The recurrence rate of food bolus impaction of the esophagus was 9%. Hiatus hernia was the only esophageal pathology associated with recurrence of food bolus impaction.