Objectives: Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) in the upper esophagus is common in South China. It is difficult to manage because of limited working space and inadequate visual field in this area. This randomized, controlled study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a transparent cap in the endoscopic management of FBs in the upper esophagus.
Methods: Adult patients suspected of FBs in the upper esophagus based on the history of FBs ingestion, symptoms, and barium contrast examination were screened for the study between March 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Seventy patients with endoscopic-confirmed FBs in the upper esophagus were recruited and were randomly assigned to two groups: transparent cap-assisted esophagogastroduodenoscopy group (n = 35) or conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy group (n = 35). The type, size, and location of FBs, the operation time for removing the FBs, and the clearness of visual field were compared between these two groups.
Results: The type, size, and location of FBs were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). The average operation time for removing the FBs was significantly shorter in the transparent cap-assisted group than in the conventional group (2.6 min vs 4.1 min, P = 0.008). Visual field was rated as "clear" in more cases in the transparent cap-assisted group than in the conventional group (97.1% vs 25.7%, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: Transparent cap-assisted endoscopy was a safe and effective method in the management of FBs in the upper esophagus, with a shorter operation time and clearer visual field.
Keywords: endoscopy; esophagus; foreign body; transparent cap.
© 2013 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.