Variability of esophageal food impaction management across pediatric specialties

Esophageal food impaction (EFI) requires urgent endoscopy, typically performed by pediatric gastroenterologists (GI) or pediatric surgeons. We investigated differences in the approach between GI and surgeons to EFIs at a single pediatric center. Data collected included demographics, method of removal, whether esophageal biopsies were obtained, and biopsy results. These data were used to compare the approach to EFIs between GI and surgeons. There were 101 cases of EFI, intervened on by GI (n = 78) and surgery (n = 23). GI more frequently performed endoscopic extraction compared with surgery (41% vs. 13%, p = 0.007). GI obtained biopsies more frequently than surgery (92% vs. 13%, p < 0.001). GI and surgeons have different approaches to management and intervention for EFI. GI are more likely to remove the EFI by extraction as well as take biopsies at the time of the endoscopy compared to pediatric surgeons. These practice differences have clinical implications for the long-term management of these patients.