[Presentation, diagnosis and management of swallowed foreign bodies]

Foreign body ingestion occurs commonly. In 80-90% of cases, the ingested foreign body passes uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract; endoscopy is performed in 20% of cases, and surgery in less than 1%. Complications usually occur when the ingested foreign body is sharp, large, a button battery or multiple magnets. We present a potential algorithm for the management of swallowed foreign bodies. Most patients can be treated conservatively by observation alone, but often it is convenient to proceed to endoscopic retrieval. Surgery is reserved for complicated cases.