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Myth: glucagon is an effective first-line therapy for esophageal foreign body impaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Sanjay Arora  and
Peter Galich
Sanjay Arora*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Peter Galich
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, LAC + USC Medical Center, 1200 N. State St. Rm. 1011, Los Angeles CA 90033; [email protected]

Extract

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Esophageal foreign body impactions (EFBIs) are relatively rare in emergency medicine; patients rarely have them more than once. Indications for watchful waiting include a patent airway and the ability to clear secretions. However, in many cases, significant discomfort combined with patient expectations mandate early intervention to dislodge the foreign body. Endoscopy is the preferred definitive method of intervention for EFBI; however, most emergency physicians choose to apply one of several less invasive modes of therapy as firstline treatment. Pharmacologic agents that have been described for this purpose include glucagon, nifedipine, sublingual nitroglycerin, proteolytic enzymes and benzodiazepines. Among these, glucagon has become the most widely accepted in clinical practice.

Keywords

glucagonesophageal foreign bodyfood bolus
Type
Knowledge Applied to Practice Application des connaissances à la pratique
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , March 2009 , pp. 169 - 171
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2009

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