Not Just for Urine: A Versatile Tool for Foreign Body Removal

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Case Report

Background:

• Foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric emergency, with most objects passing harmlessly.
• Children with pre-existing gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as ostomies, face a higher risk of impaction.
• Few cases detail foreign object ingestion in pediatric patients with ostomies.

Observation:

• A 17-month-old infant with a colostomy due to Hirschsprung's disease presented with bloody vomiting and feeding intolerance.
• Physical examination revealed a visualized mass at the stoma, and abdominal radiography confirmed a metallic foreign body.
• The infant was symptomatic, experiencing irritability and emesis.

Findings:

• A coin was successfully retrieved from the ileostomy stoma using a Foley catheter and forceps.
• The patient, despite symptoms, was stable for non-surgical management.
• The infant was observed and discharged home on the same day without complications.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates a novel and effective Foley catheter-assisted retrieval of an ingested foreign body in an infant with an ostomy.
• Prompt imaging and non-surgical removal should be considered for stable pediatric patients with ostomies presenting with foreign body ingestion.
• This technique offers a potentially less invasive management option for a rare but serious complication in pediatric patients with GI tract abnormalities.