Esophageal wishbone extraction: not for the chicken-hearted.

Objective: Ingestion of foreign bodies in the pediatric population is common and in the majority of cases involves spontaneous passage through the esophagus; however, they can become lodged in spaces of anatomical narrowing. Sharp foreign bodies are of particular concern due to a higher chance of perforation and other complications. The goal of this case report is to describe the safe removal of a chicken wishbone and 3 alternate options in the event that the initial choice was unsuccessful.

Methods: We report the case of a 2-year-old boy who presented to our pediatric tertiary center after unsuccessful endoscopic removal of a chicken wishbone from the esophagus.

Results: Radiologically, the wishbone was oriented with the tines pointing up. Endoscopic examination revealed the tips of both tines to be embedded deeply into the lateral walls of the esophageal mucosa. Esophagoscopy and protecting the sharp points of the wishbone were used to successfully extract the intact wishbone.

Conclusion: Previous techniques have involved cutting the bone; however, in this case, tension was so high that it was felt that cutting the bone would result in perforation. Proper management of such cases requires planning and often multiple strategies.