Abstract: Apparatus for removal of a bolus of foreign matter such as impacted food from an esophagus; including an overtube with an overtube insertion end and an overtube outside end for insertion into an esophagus. A substantially cylindrical basket has a first basket end adjoined to the overtube insertion end. A wire sleeve is inserted within the overtube, having a wire sleeve insertion end disposed near the overtube insertion end and a wire sleeve outside end disposed outside the overtube outside end. A wire is slidingly inserted within the wire sleeve and terminates in a snare loop disposed outside the wire sleeve and integrated with the second basket end. A wire position control is integrated with the wire sleeve outside end and adapted to extend and retract the wire with respect to the wire sleeve as desired.