Novel Bougie for the Management of Esophageal Coins in Children: An Observational Study

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of a novel bougie for the removal of esophageal coins lodged in the proximal esophagus. Subjects and Methods: This was an observational study. Medical records were reviewed of patients who were confirmed with esophageal coins between July 2015 and October 2016 in our department. Sixty-three patients, upper esophageal coins were confirmed by radiographs, were treated by using this novel bougie to remove esophageal coins. Results: A total of 63 children were enrolled in this study. Sixty coins (95%) were removed successfully. The coin was extracted on the first attempt in 56 cases (89%), the second attempt in 3 cases (5%), and the third attempt in 1 case (2%). Two coins retained in the esophagus underwent endoscopy. In the remaining patient, the coin passed into the stomach and was confirmed to be passed in the stool within 48 hours. No serious complications occurred in any subject. Conclusions: Our novel bougie procedure is likely a safe, highly efficient approach to managing esophageal coins given that no serious complications of the 63 patients were reported. This simple technique may provide another valuable option to physicians.