Rigid endoscopy in ENT practice. Appraisal of the diagnostic yield in a district general hospital

A 10-year retrospective survey of 204 elective rigid oesophagoscopic examinations in the ENT unit of a District General Hospital is reported. One Hundred and Forty Five (71 per cent) were normal and there was marked preponderance of normal endoscopy in patients under 60 years old. Clinical examination was usually unhelpful but barium studies were found to complement oesophagoscopy in reaching a diagnosis. There were six complications of oesophagoscopy, two following normal examinations.