A recent study published in The BMJ has explored the efficacy and safety of using cola to resolve complete esophageal food bolus impaction. This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted in the emergency departments of five Dutch hospitals from December 2019 to June 2022. It involved 51 adults who presented with complete esophageal food bolus impaction, a condition characterized by a sudden inability to pass saliva after consuming food.Â
The study divided participants into two groups: an intervention group of 28 patients who consumed cola in 25 mL cups at intervals, up to a maximum of 200 mL, and a control group of 23 patients who awaited spontaneous passage of the obstruction. If symptoms did not resolve, endoscopic removal was performed according to current guidelines.Â
The study found that cola did not significantly improve the resolution of food bolus obstruction. Both the intervention and control groups showed a 61% improvement rate. Complete passage was slightly more common in the cola group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Notably, no severe adverse events occurred, although 21% of patients in the cola group experienced temporary discomfort after drinking cola.Â
The study concluded that cola consumption did not lead to a higher rate of improvement in complete esophageal food bolus impaction. However, given the lack of adverse events and some instances of resolution after treatment, cola might be considered as a first-line treatment option. The researchers emphasized that cola treatment should not delay the planning of endoscopic management.Â
Esophageal food bolus impaction is a common emergency, especially during holidays when people tend to consume large meals quickly. The study’s findings are significant as they provide evidence-based guidance on the management of this condition. The use of cola, a globally available and inexpensive option, was considered due to its potential to prevent emergency department visits and emergent endoscopies.Â
While the study does not recommend cola as a standard treatment, it opens the door for further research and discussion on non-invasive methods to manage esophageal obstructions. The findings also highlight the need for larger-scale studies to explore other potential treatments and their efficacy in different patient subgroups.Â
Journal Reference Â
Tiebie, E. G., Baerends, E. P., Boeije, T., Frankenmolen, P. G., Lameijer, H., Berg, W. van den, … Bredenoord, A. J. (2023). Efficacy of cola ingestion for oesophageal food bolus impaction: open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj-2023-077294 a
