OBJECTIVE : To study the management (diagnostic and therapeutic) of esophageal foreign bodies with rigid esophagoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS : All 100 patients admitted to the Dankook University Hospital for ingestion of foreign bodies between May 1994 and July 1999. The outcome for each patient was determined by examining hospital records of demographic information, identification of the foreign body and the removal procedure used. RESULTS : Rigid esophagoscopy was performed for suspected foreign bodies in 100 cases an impacted. The most frequent location was the upper third of the esophagus (68%). The most common type of foreign body was fish bones in adult(61%) and coins in children(70%). In 12 patients. flexible endoscopy had failed previously to remove the foreign body and 4 cases were migrated esophageal metal stent in esophageal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS : The rigid esophagoscopy is appropriate techniques for managing esophageal foreign bodies.