Emergency management of jujube pit esophageal impactions using rigid esophagoscopy in the aged

OBJECTIVE: To study the emergency management of esophageal jujube pit ingestion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: A retrospective study of 114 consecutive cases of jujube pits esophageal impaction during 3 months was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen cases were confirmed as jujube pit esophageal impaction using contrast-enhanced radiography. All jujube pits were retrieved using rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia as outpatients, except one case where a direct laryngoscope was used. In four cases, esophageal perforation was found, the patients were treated with conservative measures, and none died. CONCLUSION: Jujube pit esophageal impaction is characterized by a high incidence of perforation. The conservative management of cervical perforation is effective in this study. Rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia is safe for jujube pit esophageal impaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.