Esophageal foreign body extraction in children: flexible versus rigid endoscopy

Esophageal foreign body (FB) impaction is a common emergency in children. The goal of this study was to compare rigid versus flexible endoscopy in esophageal FB extraction in children.

In a retrospective cohort study with consecutive data, children with esophageal FB impaction who were admitted between January 2005 and December 2008 to the Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Canada, were included. Nature of the procedure for FB removal (flexible vs. rigid endoscopy), duration of the procedure, complications, and associated pathology were documented.

A total of 140 children were included (81 boys; mean age, 59.8 ± 48.6 (range, 4-203) months). More than half (54%) of patients were aged 3 years or younger. Coins were the most common foreign body (77.9%). Flexible endoscopy was used in 89 patients, rigid in 49, and both in 2 patients. The mean duration of the endoscopic procedure was 10.50 ± 12.2 minutes for FE (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.94-13.08) and 16.49 ± 21.1 minutes for RE (95% CI, 13.75-22.45; p = 0.04). Biopsies were taken in 19% of patients undergoing FE and in 6% of RE (p = 0.04).

Both rigid and flexible endoscopy techniques appear to be equally safe and effective in esophageal foreign body extraction. However, performing flexible endoscopy for esophageal foreign body takes a substantial shorter duration compared with rigid endoscopy. Flexible endoscopy would probably allow a better and more thorough examination and, hence, biopsying esophageal mucosa compared with rigid endoscopy.