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

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

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