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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Foreign body oesophagus in a neonate: a common occurrence at an uncommon age
Mohammed Zameer1, Ravi Prakash Kanojia, B R Thapa
1Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Foreign body ingestion in newborns is rare. A 25-day-old infant successfully underwent open esophagotomy for a large esophageal stone, highlighting surgery
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Neonatal foreign body ingestion is exceedingly rare.
- Esophageal foreign bodies typically occur in older children.
Observation:
- A 25-day-old neonate presented with a large stone impacted in the cervical esophagus.
- The foreign body was accidentally placed by an elder sibling.
Findings:
- Endoscopic retrieval of the esophageal stone failed.
- Successful removal was achieved via open esophagotomy.
Implications:
- This case highlights an unusual presentation of foreign body ingestion at a very young age.
- Open surgery remains a viable and effective option for impacted esophageal foreign bodies when endoscopic methods fail.
Abstract:
Neonatal ingestion of foreign body is a very uncommon occurrence. We describe a 25-day-old neonate who had a large-sized stone impacted in the cervical oesophagus. The stone was accidently lodged by one of the elder siblings while playing. The stone, after failure to be retrieved endoscopically, was successfully removed by open esophagotomy. The case describes the unusual occurrence at a very uncommon age. It also re-affirms the successful role of open surgery in such situations, which are otherwise commonly treated endoscopically.
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