Novel use of esophageal overtube and water flushes as a safety indicator and facilitator for the push technique in esophageal food impaction

Abstract

Esophageal food impaction requires urgent endoscopic intervention either by extraction or pushing into the stomach. Due to risks of perforation, controversy exists between when to extract verses when to push the food bolus. There are no clear guidelines on when it is safe to push a food bolus; endoscopists rely on their subjective experiences and judgment. We present a case with a novel use of an esophageal overtube and water flushes to determine the safety of pushing a food bolus and facilitate passage into the stomach.