Endoscopic Extraction of Foreign Bodies from the Upper Digestive Tract in Adults: A Case Series

Abstract

Ingestion of foreign bodies is the 2nd most common indication for emergency endoscopy. The nature and location of the foreign body determine the indication and the time required for its extraction. The aim of our work was to report on the experience of our department in the endoscopic management of foreign bodies in the upper digestive tract. Our study was retrospective and descriptive over a period of 7 years, and included all patients who required endoscopic management of an ingested foreign body. During this period, 62 oeso-gastro-duodenal fibroscopies were performed. The mean age of our patients was 43 years. A recurrence of impaction was found in 6.4% of patients. Ingestion was accidental in 74.2% of patients. Food impactions were the most frequent (48.4%). Ingestion of multiple foreign bodies was observed in 8 patients with extremes of 2 to 20 foreign bodies per patient. In half the cases, the foreign body was found in the oesophagus, in 29% of cases in the stomach and in 3.2% of cases in the duodenum. Foreign body was not found in 17.8% of cases. According to our series, the success rate of emergency endoscopic extraction of foreign bodies was satisfactory at around 70%, with a low complication rate of around 6.4% linked to minor lacerations in the esophagus observed in 3 patients and an esophageal perforation.