Objectives: To assess the efficiency of a Magill forceps technique (MFT) in removing coins from the upper end of the esophagus.
Method: The study population was 75 patients, all of them were children under the age of 12 years. This study was carried out in ENT department at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital during the period October 1996-September 1999. MFT is based on the insertion of a Mc-Intosch laryngoscope into the pharynx to elevate the larynx and to expose the esophageal entrance, then Magill forceps were advanced into the esophagus and opened in order to see and extract the coin from the esophagus.
Results: Seventy-one coins were successfully removed without any complications from 75 children admitted with coins in the upper end of the esophagus. In the remaining four cases, the coins had slipped down into the stomach. The average time taken to remove the coin was 30 s.
Conclusion: MFT is a quick, easy and safe technique for removing coins from the upper end of the esophagus.