Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

Swallowed foreign body: Is interventional management always required?

G Y Al Shehri1, T A Al Malki, M Y Al Shehri

  • 1Department of Surgery, Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Swallowed foreign bodies in 20 patients, including children and adults, all passed harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment involved high-fiber diets and laxatives, with no reported mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a common clinical issue, particularly in children.
  • Accurate diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with swallowed foreign bodies.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of conservative management for gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 20 cases of swallowed foreign bodies over a five-year period.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, type of foreign body, and treatment methods.

Main Results:

  • The study included 6 children and 14 adults, with various objects ingested.
  • All foreign bodies passed spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract within 2-10 days (average 4.7 days).
  • Conservative management with high-fiber diet, laxatives, and lubricants was effective, with no mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Swallowed foreign bodies in both children and adults can often be managed conservatively.
  • Prompt and appropriate management ensures safe passage of ingested foreign bodies.
  • High-fiber diet and laxatives are effective in facilitating the passage of gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

More Related Videos

Intraoperative Strategy under Complex Vascular Adhesion for Laparoscopic Radical Resection of Bismuth-Corlette Type IIIb Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma05:22

Intraoperative Strategy under Complex Vascular Adhesion for Laparoscopic Radical Resection of Bismuth-Corlette Type IIIb Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Published on: February 13, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management01:21

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow01:24

Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow

The Barium Swallow Study, or a Barium Esophagogram, is a diagnostic imaging method used to visualize the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. It employs barium sulfate, a radiopaque contrast material, to provide clear images of the upper digestive system, helping to identify abnormalities, diseases, or structural issues.
Purpose and Procedure
Patients undergoing this procedure ingest a liquid containing barium sulfate with a chalky...
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:28

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management01:22

Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management

Vigilant monitoring for aneurysm rupture is essential for patients undergoing aortic surgery.Preoperative Nursing ManagementContinuously monitor the patient for manifestations of aneurysm rupture, such as pallor, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, abdominal, back, groin, or periumbilical pain, changes in consciousness, and a pulsating abdominal mass. Regularly assess the patient's peripheral pulses.Instruct the patient to consume a clear liquid diet the day before surgery and administer...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques01:30

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

Airway management is essential in emergency and surgical medicine, ensuring ventilation and oxygenation in patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Clinicians use a range of techniques and devices to secure the airway, depending on the patient’s condition and the clinical context. Key methods include endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), supraglottic airway devices, and advanced visualization aids. In cases where these approaches fail, surgical airway interventions are...