Evaluation of Efficacy of Conservative Management in The Treatment of Impacted Esophageal Food Bolus

Abstract

Introduction: Acute food bolus obstruction in esophagus is common emergency in otorhinolaryngology. It is a distressing condition and most patient present with complaint of dysphagia. Various methods are used to remove the impacted esophageal food bolus. Conservative management is safe and effective method of treating such cases. Objective:  We determine the frequency of patients passing the impacted esophageal food bolus spontaneously by conservative management. Study period:  Duration of study was six months from 1-10-2010 to 30-03-2011. Sample size: Sample size was calculated by using WHO sample size calculator taking level of significance 95% and P value 68% and margin of error 10%. The sample was 85. Study design: Descriptive case series. Sampling technique: Non-probability consecutive sampling. Methodology: We admitted in our department, all the patients presenting with esophageal food bolus obstruction, fulfilling the inclusion criteria. We confirm the diagnosis by asking the patient about their feeling of obstruction and giving them a glass of water to drink. Then all the patients were given conservative management for 24 hrs. Within 24 hrs, all those patients who felt that their food bolus has passed and were able to drink a glass of water easily, were considered as successful cases. Results: 67 patients out of 85 (78.8) % passed their impacted esophageal food bolus spontaneously by conservative management.49 / 85 patients were male while 39/85 were females. The age range in the patients was 17 to 81 years. Conclusion: The conservative management is safe, cost effective and effective method in managing the patients presenting with esophageal food bolus obstruction.