Background: Acute esophageal food impaction (EFI) may be treated by endoscopic extraction of the food bolus either en bloc or in a piecemeal fashion. We have found this endoscopic extraction technique to be unsatisfactory.
Objective: Our purpose was to demonstrate the use of through-the-scope (TTS), wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to treat EFI.
Design: Case reports defining the technique and results of esophageal balloon dilation to treat EFI.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Patients: Eleven patients presenting with EFI.
Interventions: Through-the-scope (TTS), wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to relieve EFI. Main outcome measurements Endoscopic resolution of EFI.
Results: TTS, wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation successfully dislodged the EFI in all 11 patients. The procedure took <5 minutes to complete in all cases. There were no major procedure-related complications.
Limitations: Small number of patients.
Conclusions: We have found TTS, wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to be a simple, quick, safe, and effective technique to treat EFI.