-Actual_Problems_of_Emergency_Abdominal_Surgery-_ed._by_Dmitry_Victorovich_Garbuzenko

Chapter 5

Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Obinna Obinwa, David Cooper,

James M. O’Riordan and Paul Neary

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/63464

Abstract

Retained foreign bodies within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are common emergen‐

cy presentations. The majority will pass spontaneously or be removed endoscopically,

but a few selected cases may require emergency surgery for removal. This chapter

reviews the management of foreign bodies within the GIT including both instances of

foreign body ingestions and foreign body insertions. The scope of this chapter is not

limited to evidence‐based data on selection of cases for conservative management but

also includes data on endoscopic and surgical management.

Keywords: complications, decision support techniques, diagnosis, emergency man‐

agement, endoscopy, foreign bodies, gastrointestinal tract, humans, surgery

1. Introduction

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) foreign body ingestions or insertions are common clinical scenar‐
ios, with an estimated 1500–2750 patients dying annually from ingested foreign bodies in the
United States each year [1–3]. The problem is encountered in all age groups, and the choice of
an appropriate technique for removal may, at times, pose a dilemma for the clinician. Al‐
though recent reports suggest that most cases of foreign body ingestion do not result in mortality
or significant clinical sequelae [4], evidence‐based criteria for management should be em‐

ployed so as to reduce the risk of potential adverse events. Importantly, cases selected for surgical
removal should be appropriately investigated and managed.