[Is the rigid hypopharyngo-esophagoscopy for suspected foreign body impaction still up to date?].

BACKGROUND

The increasing use of flexible esophagoscopes leads to controversies regarding the current status of rigid hypopharyngo-esophagoscopy in case of suspected foreign body impaction.

METHODS

In a retrospective investigation we analyzed 309 open tube hypopharyngo-esophagoscopies performed for suspected foreign body impaction.

RESULTS

In 108 patients (35.0 %) a foreign body was detected endoscopically. 69 Patients (22.3 %) had other pathologic findings within the upper digestive tract. 72 % of the foreign bodies and 83 % of the pathologic findings were localized within the hypopharynx or the cervical esophagus.

CONCLUSIONS

The superior diagnostic and therapeutic properties of the classical rigid endoscopy in this area underlines its still actual status in patients with suspected foreign body impaction.