Foreign Body Removal

When Is It Needed?

Foreign body ingestion can happen in:

• Children (coins, toys, batteries)
• Adults (fish bones, dentures, food boluses)
• Patients with psychiatric disorders or trauma
• Emergency Indicators: Sharp objects (4% perforation risk), button batteries (rapid tissue damage), and items causing complete esophageal obstruction require immediate removal.

Symptoms of a Foreign Body in GI Tract

• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest or throat pain
• Vomiting or nausea
• Drooling or choking
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Patients are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting.

Procedure Overview

• Performed using Upper GI Endoscopy (EGD) or Colonoscopy
• A thin, flexible scope with a camera is inserted to locate the object
• Specialized tools like grasping forceps, polypectomy snares, Dormia baskets, and retrieval nets are used to remove it
• Done under local anesthesia or sedation.

Key Clinical Benefits

• The primary advantage is avoiding major surgery, which significantly improves patient outcomes.
• Minimally Invasive: No external incisions are required in most cases, as the scope enters through natural openings like the mouth (endoscopy) or anus (colonoscopy).
• High Success Rate: Success rates for retrieving foreign bodies typically exceed 95% when performed by skilled specialists.
• Real-Time Visualization: High-definition cameras allow doctors to directly see the object and assess any damage it may have caused to the GI lining (e.g., ulcers, tears, or bleeding).
• Reduced Complications: Compared to surgery, these methods carry a lower risk of infection, heavy bleeding, and long-term scarring.
• Diagnostic & Therapeutic: In a single session, the doctor can both find the object and remove it.