Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract in children: A tertiary hospital experience
Chukwubuike Kevin Emeka1, Nduagubam Obinna Chukwuebuka2, Enebe Joseph Tochukwu3
1Department of Surgery, Paediatric Surgery Unit, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Insights
Foreign body ingestion in children's gastrointestinal tracts often requires surgery. Toy parts were the most common foreign bodies removed, with surgical site infection being the main complication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Foreign body (FB) ingestion in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a common clinical issue.
- While most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, a significant number necessitate surgical intervention due to impaction or complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical experience and management outcomes of pediatric patients presenting with foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract.
- To analyze the incidence, predisposing factors, surgical procedures, and complications associated with foreign body ingestion in children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted over a 10-year period at a pediatric surgery unit.
- Data from children undergoing laparotomy for foreign body removal from the GIT were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Out of 272 children with GIT foreign bodies, 30 (11%) required laparotomy.
- Toy parts were the most frequently removed foreign bodies; surgical site infection was the most common postoperative complication.
- Foreign body impaction was the primary indication for surgery, with enterotomy for removal being the most performed procedure. No mortality was reported.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body ingestion in children can lead to serious complications requiring surgical management.
- Preventive measures focusing on caregiver education are crucial to reduce the incidence of foreign body ingestion in children.
Background:
Foreign body (FB) ingestion in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in children is common. Although most foreign bodies will pass spontaneously, surgical intervention is required when they fail to pass.
Aims And Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of children who presented with FB in the GIT.
Materials And Methods:
This was a retrospective study of children that underwent laparotomy for the removal of FB in the GIT at the paediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu over a 10-year period.
Results:
A total of 272 children presented with FB in the GIT during the study period, out of which 30 patients had laparotomy. This gave an operative incidence rate of 11%. There was a slight male predominance and the ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 5 years (median 3 years). About half of the patients had no symptoms and all the patients were investigated with an abdominal radiograph. Only one-third of the patients had a predisposing factor that could have led to FB impaction. FB impaction was the most common indication for surgery, and enterotomy with FB removal was the most performed surgical procedure. The most common FB removed were tiny parts of toys, and the most common post-operative complication was surgical site infection. There was no mortality.
Conclusion:
FB in GIT in children could be associated with complications that require surgical treatment. FB ingestion is preventable. Focus should be placed on caregivers preventing children from ingesting FB.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
01:30Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:22Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....