TITLE:
Endoscopic management of ingested foreign bodies in children: A retrospective review of cases, and review of the literature
AUTHORS:
Tariq O. Abbas, Noora Al Shahwani, Mansour Ali
KEYWORDS:
Foreign Body Ingestion; Pediatric Endoscopy; Coin; Aspiration
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
23,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Foreign body (FB) ingestion by children
is a common problem worldwide. Management may include endoscopic removal. This
paper describes the clinical findings, sites and types of FBs, and outcomes in
children who underwent endoscopic management of ingested FBs at our
institution. The published literature regarding the management of FB ingestion
in children is also reviewed. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records
of all patients aged Results: The 47 patients with gastrointestinal
FBs included 29 males and 18 females with a mean age of 3.5 years. The most
common symptoms were difficulty with swallowing and vomiting in 16 patients
(34%), chest pain in 10 (21%), and coughing and breathing difficulty in 7 (15%).
The most common FB site was the esophagus (36 patients). Most gastrointestinal
FBs were metallic, with coins being the most common. Endoscopic removal was
successful in 43 patients. The 17 patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies
included 9 males and 8 females with a mean age of 3.2 years. The most common
symptoms were breathing difficulty in 12 patients (71%) and coughing in 3 (18%).
The most common tracheobronchial FBs were nuts (10 patients). Bronchoscopic
removal was successful in all 17 patients. Conclusions: Coins were the most common
gastrointestinal FBs, and nuts were the most common tracheobronchial FBs.
Clinical presentations were variable, and a high index of suspicion is
necessary. Endoscopic removal is safe and effective, and early diagnosis and management
result in favorable outcomes.