Management of foreign body ingestion in pediatric population: A single-center study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Children of all ages may ingest a foreign body (FB). Most (>95%) of ingestions are accidental. Gastrointestinal tract obstruction or impaction by a FB depends on the physical properties of the object such as size, shape, and composition. The majority of ingested FBs are low-risk objects and can be managed without imaging or intervention where as high-risk objects and symptomatic children may require careful observation and surgical intervention. The aim of our study is to discuss our experience of management of FB ingestion in children in IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, a tertiary care centre and to identify the high-risk FBs ingested and discuss the symptoms where conservative managements can be done even in sharp objects. Materials and Methods: This observational single institute-based study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery in IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital and data were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 84 patients came with ingested FBs (Boy – 59 and Girl – 29) and 22 were sharp FBs. Among nonsharp FBs, coins are most common 40 (47.6% of all FBs). Most of them were asymptomatic 75 (89.3%) and among all four required surgical intervention and eight were removed by endoscopy. In 72 patients, no intervention was required for FB ingestion including 16 sharp objects. Conclusion: Most of the ingested FBs are expelled through stool spontaneously. Nonsharp FBs such as magnets and button battery large size are high-risk objects and require active surgical intervention and sharp FBs need very much careful observation after admission and very few requires surgical intervention. Endoscopic removal is indicated in some early cases.