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.