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Navigating foreign body ingestion in paediatric patients with a history of congenital abdominal wall defects
Lorraine Belisse Bermudez Rivera1, Samantha Kennedy2, Teerin Meckmongkol3
1Department of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Insights
Foreign object ingestion in children with prior abdominal surgery can lead to severe complications. This case highlights the need for prompt medical attention and surgical intervention in such complex pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Foreign object ingestion is a frequent pediatric concern.
- Abdominal surgeries increase complication risks for ingested foreign bodies.
- Gastroschisis repair history poses unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of a toddler with gastroschisis repair history who ingested foreign bodies.
- To illustrate the diagnostic and management challenges in such cases.
- To emphasize the importance of timely intervention.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a male toddler with severe abdominal pain.
- Diagnostic imaging (X-ray) revealing foreign bodies and bowel inflammation.
- Exploratory laparotomy and right hemicolectomy for foreign body removal.
Main Results:
- Multiple foreign bodies were identified in the abdomen.
- Significant adhesions were present, obstructing foreign body passage.
- Inflamed colon segment and foreign bodies were successfully removed en bloc via right hemicolectomy.
Conclusions:
- Children with prior abdominal surgery require vigilant monitoring for foreign body ingestion.
- Delayed diagnosis and management can necessitate complex surgical procedures like hemicolectomy.
- Prompt medical evaluation is crucial to prevent serious complications in pediatric foreign body ingestion.
Abstract:
Foreign object ingestion is a common medical problem in children and can cause serious complications in patients with a history of abdominal surgeries. This case describes a male toddler with a history of complex gastroschisis repair who presented with severe abdominal pain. Imaging revealed multiple foreign bodies in the abdomen, first seen on X-ray 9 months prior, along with signs of bowel inflammation. Due to the prolonged presence of foreign bodies and potential complications, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Significant adhesions were found, particularly in the transverse colon, preventing foreign body passage. The patient required a right hemicolectomy to remove both the inflamed segment of the colon and the foreign objects en bloc. Parents should monitor young children closely for ingestion, as prompt medical attention is essential to avoid complications. Children with previous abdominal surgery represent a unique challenge as they may require surgery following foreign body ingestion.
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