A PATIENT with a large solid object impacted in the lower part of his esophagus is in great danger of death. Extraction through the mouth with forceps and esophagoscope is perilous and often impossible. This is because manipulation of the object through a tube of great length and with a diameter of only 1 cm. is extremely difficult. Forceful, blind traction on it is likely to rupture the esophagus. The danger of this accident is great when the object has sharp points or has caused pressure necrosis of the esophagus. Transpleural removal has been done and also digital removal through the stomach, but there are serious objections to both operations.
These considerations made us think it worth while to report the following method which we have used with success in 1 case. We can find but one report of the use of a similar method. This is by Boone and