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Esophagoscopy for removal of foreign bodies in the pediatric population

Shai Y Shinhar1, Richard J Strabbing, David N Madgy

  • 1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA. shinhar1@yahoo.com

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|August 9, 2003
PubMed

Insights

This study reviewed pediatric rigid esophagoscopy for foreign body ingestion. An acceptable rate of 6.2% for esophagoscopies without foreign body discovery was established, guiding diagnostic endoscopy practices.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency.
  • Diagnostic endoscopy, specifically rigid esophagoscopy, is frequently employed to confirm ingestion.
  • Establishing benchmarks for diagnostic procedures is crucial for optimizing healthcare resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the acceptable rate of negative rigid esophagoscopies in children with suspected foreign body ingestion.
  • To analyze patient characteristics and findings associated with foreign body ingestion in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (<11 years) undergoing rigid esophagoscopy for suspected foreign body ingestion.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and esophagoscopy results.
  • Study period: 1998-2001 at Children's Hospital of Michigan.

Main Results:

  • A total of [Number] pediatric patients were included in the review.
  • The rate of esophagoscopies performed without identifying a foreign body was 6.2%.
  • Commonly ingested foreign bodies and their associated clinical presentations were documented.

Conclusions:

  • A 6.2% rate of negative esophagoscopies is considered acceptable for suspected pediatric foreign body ingestion.
  • This finding supports the judicious use of diagnostic endoscopy in this patient population.
  • Clinical history remains a primary driver for proceeding with diagnostic esophagoscopy.

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