Thoracic Esophageal Foreign Body

Endoscopy has become very popular in the retrieval of foreign bodies from the esophagus and the stomach. The technique is limited in the instrumentation that is available to retrieve larger and irregular foreign bodies. It is extremely important that the endoscopist does not push the retrieval process beyond what is reasonable. To many times the esophagus is damaged by an overzealous retrieval process making surgical retrieval much more difficult. Cervical and thoracic esophageal foreign bodies can be surgically retrieved without major complication. The old concern of poor esophageal blood supply and no thick submucosa or omentum making surgery of the esophagus difficult are not correct and "THE ESOPHAGUS CAN BE VERY SUCCESSFULLY SURGICALLY MANIPULATED."