Solution to the dilemma of retrieving an endoscope from the esophagus

Abstract

Esophageal impaction usually is caused by ingestion of foreign bodies or a food bolus. 1 Berggreen PJ Harrison ME Sanowski RA Ingebo K Noland B Zierer S Techniques and complications of esophageal foreign body extraction in children and adults. Gastrointest Endosc. 1993; 39: 626-630 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (114) Google Scholar A flexible fiberoptic endoscope is one of the most efficient instruments for investigation in such clinical situations. However, the endoscope itself may cause problems when it becomes difficult to retrieve from the esophagus. Although endoscope-related complications are diverse, we were not able to find a case report on complications related to difficult retrieval of a diagnostic endoscope from the esophagus. 2 Eimiller A Complication in endoscopy. Endoscopy. 1992; 24: 176-184 Crossref PubMed Scopus (29) Google Scholar , 3 Chan MF Complications of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 1996; 6: 287-303 PubMed Google Scholar , 4 Schauer PR Schwesinger WH Page CP Stewart RM Levine BA Sirinek KR Complications of surgical endoscopy: a decade of experience from a surgical residency training program. Surg Endosc. 1997; 11: 8-11 Crossref PubMed Scopus (24) Google Scholar We present such a case from our clinical experience and discuss a possible solution.