Esophageal Foreign Body(Coin) Removal Using Foley's Catheter

Cho, Woo Ryeong; Park, Byung Weon; Yoo, Myung Jong; Seok, Sang Ryeol; Kim, Seu Gyu; Kim, Myung Gu

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Esophageal foreign bodies are very common problems in the field of pediatric otolaryngology department. Of all, coins are the most common esophageal foreign bodies encoutnered. Management of the child with an esophageal coin is as follows: rigid esophagoscopic removal under general anesthesia, flexible endoscopic removal, Foley's catheter technique with or without fluoroscopy control, and advancement using bougination. This study is to evaluate the safety and efficiency of the procedure of removing coins from the esophagus in children using Foley's catheter without fluoroscopic control.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The subjects consisted of 101 children with coin lodgement in the first esophageal constrictor area who had been managed with Foley's catheter extraction method from April 1993 through February 1999 at Masan samsung hospital, Masan, Korea. A retrospective review of charts and radiological findings was performed.
RESULTS
Of the 101 children who underwent Foley's catheter extraction method, 93 cases (92.1%) were successful without serious complications; but three attempts were unsuccessful and were subsequently removed by rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia.
CONCLUSIONS
Foley's catheter extraction method may be used for removal of esophageal coins in selected cases, even without fluoroscopic control. The technique is effective, safe and avoids the risk of general anesthesia or radiation exposure.