The Use of a Balloon Retention Catheter for Removal of Foreign Bodies from the Esophagus

Foreign bodies of the esophagus, 13 coins, were removed from 13 children using a balloon retention catheter with no anesthesia under fluoroscopy.A catheter was passed under fluoroscopy through the mouth into the esophagus. When the catheter passed beneath the foreign body, the balloon was inflated with about 5ml of radio-opaque medium. Then the catheter was gently withdrawn and the foreign body was removed with the distended balloon.There were no technical difficulties or complications in any of these patients.The procedure required only a balloon retention catheter and a fluoroscope for its performance, and it is simple and safe, even in children, if it is properly applied.Certain advantages of this method for removing blunt foreign bodies from the esophagus are apparent. One of the greatest advantages of this technique is that the esophagus is being pressed away from the impacted foreign body during this procedure, and thus preventing the esophagus from the possible perforation.