Factors associated with development of complications after endoscopic foreign body removal

We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent endoscopic foreign body removal and the risk factors of complications.

The medical records of 415 patients treated from January 2000 to August 2011 for suspected foreign bodies were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, endoscopic findings, clinical outcomes, and risk factors of complications were analyzed.

Foreign bodies were detected endoscopically in 315 patients. Fish bone fragment (36.9%) and coins (15.3%) were the most common type of foreign bodies in adults and children, respectively. Complications associated with endoscopic procedure occurred in 26 patients (8.3%); 20 of the patients were treated conservatively and the other six patients underwent surgical treatment. Perforation (14%) was the most common complication. By univariate and multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with complication after endoscopic foreign body removal were long duration from ingestion to endoscopy ( P = 0.009) and existence of initial mucosal injury ( P = 0.018).

Most foreign bodies were successfully removed by endoscopy without complication, but long duration from ingestion to endoscopy and mucosal injury were risk factors of complications of endoscopic foreign body removal. Patients with these risk factors could require more careful treatment.