Abstract
Videoendoscopes have a small charge-coupled device (CCD) chip built into the tip that provides a clear image. This report concerns office-based cervical esophageal foreign body extraction using a transnasal videoendoscope.
Two types of videoendoscopes (with and without a working channel for irrigation, air insufflation and forceps) were used. The diameters of the videoendoscope tips were 5.3 mm and 4.1 mm.
The advantages of this intervention were as follows. 1) Videoendoscopes presented clear dynamic color images on a color video monitor and provided excellent resolution and recording, and thus yielded high diagnostic accuracy and fine intervention. 2) The videoendoscope diameter was relatively small and resulted in less discomfort to the patient. 3) Patients could be treated in a supine position on a procedure chair at the otolaryngology outpatient clinic, which obviated sedation or general anesthesia. 4) Pernasal endoscopy allowed the doctor to treat patients who had a strong gag reflex. 5) Good image documentation on the color video monitor allowed the physician to carry out safe intervention. A disadvantage of this procedure was that extraction of some varieties of foreign bodies was limited.
Cervical esophageal foreign body extraction using a transnasal videoendoscope is a reliable procedure that has widened the indications for office-based endoscopy.
