Conservative management of ingested foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

An esophageal foreign body is a sharp or blunt object stuck or pinched in the esophagus due to ingestion. Most ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without difficulty in 80-90% of hospitalized patients. However, 10-20% require endoscopic removal or other conservative management. A plain radiological examination of the neck or chest can be used to determine the location of the foreign body and establish the diagnosis. Perforations often occur in the physiologic sphincter (pylorus and ileocecal valve), sharp bend (e.g., duodenal curvature), congenital intestinal malformation (tissue, diaphragm, or diverticula), or bowel surgery areas. We report four cases of a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. The first case was a needle, the second a coin, the third a hair clip, and the last a key. All cases received conservative management, and the time for the foreign body removal varied. Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract present unique management challenges. After determining the diagnosis, the doctor must decide the therapy steps. In most cases, foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract can be treated conservatively. However, some require a multidisciplinary approach.

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