Acute esophageal food impaction treated by gas-forming agents

Impacted meat obstructing the esophagus was successfully treated in 8 patients by oral administration of tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate. This acid-base mixture produces carbon dioxide, which distends the esophagus and propels the meat into the stomach. The authors have had a 100% success rate with no complications and recommend that this procedure be the first treatment attempted for meat impaction in the esophagus.