Management of Ingested Foreign Bodies in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract in Childhood:An Experience of 66 Cases and Suggested Recommendations

Authors P. Katsinelos, G. Paroutoglou, G. Chatzimavroudis, I. Pilpilidis, G. Gelas, C. Zavos, I. Triantafillidis, I. Stergiou, K. Soufleris, T. Vasiliadis.

Abstract

Background and Study Aims: Foreign body ingestion is a
common problem in children. This study presents a retrospective
clinical analysis of endoscopic methods in the extraction
of ingested foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal
tract. Patients and Methods: The charts of 75 children who
had ingested foreign bodies were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Of the 75 patients, 66 (88%) were managed endoscopically.
The type of foreign bodies varied greatly: mainly
coins, jewelleries, toy parts, and rarely batteries and chicken
or fish bones. The foreign bodies were located in the stomach
(n=47), esophagus (n=16), pharynx (n=2) and duodenum
(n=1). The success rate of foreign bodies extraction, using
mainly Roth-net and other endoscopic accessory devices,
was 100%. There were no complications during endoscopic
interventions. There were no readmissions for those patients
who did not undergo endoscopic examination. Conclusions:
Endoscopic approach is the preferable method for the extraction
of upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies in pediatric
patients. Roth-net is the best endoscopic device for safe
retrieval of ingested foreign bodies.
Keywords: Foreign body, endoscopic intervention, upper gastrointestinal
tract
Section
Original Articles