Overview of the Management of Swallowed Gastrointestinal Tract Foreign Body

Awe JAA.

Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion

University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

E-mail address: doset2007@yahoo.com

Accepted 05 June, 2013

Abstract

Foreign bodies’ ingestion is a potentially serious problem. The majority of ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, but serious complications, such as bowel perforation and obstruction, can occur. It is a commonly seen problem in accident and emergency units, commonly in children in about (80%) also seen in the elderly, mentally impaired, or alcoholic individuals, and may occur intentionally in prisoners or psychiatric patients. According to the literature 90% of ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without complications, 10% to 20% necessitate endoscopic removal, whereas only 1% of them will finally need surgical intervention. Foreign bodies with smooth edges usually do not pose significant problems, but a sharp foreign object that is not retrieved at the earliest time may penetrate the wall of the viscus and cause complications. Ingestion of metallic foreign bodies such as large coins or button-type batteries because of peculiar problems posed by them may require an aggressive approach. In clinical practice, we often face the dilemma of choosing the appropriate treatment modality, instead of the usual a "waiting and close observation" policy.

The aim of this article is to share the personal experience of about 22 years of a single surgeon in the management of various types of ingested foreign bodies.

Keywords: Foreign body; Swallow; Gastrointestinal tract.