Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Spontaneous passage of long, sharp gastrointestinal foreign body in a child
Vilvapathy Senguttuvan Karthikeyan1, Mohammed Gaffoor Ansari2, Ramasamy Suresh3
1Department of Urology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
Insights
Most ingested foreign bodies (FBs) in children pass naturally. A 4 cm paper pin, a sharp foreign body, successfully passed spontaneously within 26 hours in a pediatric case.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Accidental Ingestion
- Foreign Body Management
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric emergency.
- Most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, but exceptions exist.
- Long or sharp objects pose unique challenges for spontaneous passage.
Abstract:
Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common problem in children. Up to 90% of these FBs pass spontaneously. FBs reaching the stomach usually pass out spontaneously. Exceptions to this spontaneous passage include a long FB that cannot cross the pylorus, duodenum or ileocaecal junction. We present a case of a 9-year boy who accidentally ingested a long paper pin, which spontaneously passed in 26 h. This case is being reported to highlight the successful spontaneous passage of a 4 cm long sharp foreign body in a child.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction
Pyloric Obstruction
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow
Purpose and Procedure
Patients undergoing this procedure ingest a liquid containing barium sulfate with a chalky...
Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy