A good way to keep that from happening is open the neck. Grab the esophagus (weasand) at the voice box and separate it from the windpipe to the front shoulder. Cut through the voice box just a bit so you have a nub on the end of the esophagus. Now just tie it single not and the nub will keep it from coming loose. Push the tied esophagus into the thorax. Cut out the remainder of the windpipe. Remove internals as usual.
