[Endoscopic removal of an ingested foreign body--indications and choice of procedure]

The majority of ingested foreign bodies does not cause problems for the patients and leaves the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously without complications. However the low risk of modern fiberendoscopy allows a safe approach of endoscopic extraction. In children and all other cases, where general anesthesia is required for the extraction procedure, indication for endoscopic extraction should be limited. From 1980-1986 we followed a concept, which differentiated for emergency, early-elective or elective extraction, depending on localisation and nature of the foreign bodies as well as the necessity for general anesthesia. In 88 endoscopic extractions (22 emergency, 66 elective) no complications were observed.