Introduction of a Canadian dollar coin has created a new health hazard for children
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1Department of Otolarynology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Coins are a common cause of pediatric foreign body ingestion requiring endoscopic removal. Esophagoscopy under general anesthesia is the safest method for removing impacted esophageal foreign bodies in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Endoscopic Procedures
- Foreign Body Ingestion
Background:
- Coins are a leading cause of pediatric foreign body ingestion requiring endoscopic removal.
- The introduction of the Canadian dollar coin in 1987 added a new hazard for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review pediatric foreign body removal cases.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of esophagoscopy for impacted esophageal foreign bodies.
Main Methods:
- Review of 228 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing esophagoscopy for foreign body removal between 1979 and 1989.
- Analysis of coin-related foreign body ingestions.
Main Results:
- Coins were the most frequent foreign bodies requiring endoscopic removal.
- Esophagoscopy under general anesthesia demonstrated a high safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Coins remain a significant cause of pediatric foreign body ingestion.
- Esophagoscopy under general anesthesia is the safest technique for removing impacted esophageal foreign bodies in children.
Abstract:
Coins have remained at the top of the incidence list of published series of endoscopic removal of pediatric foreign bodies. The introduction of the Canadian dollar coin in 1987 has presented another hazard for children. A total of 228 consecutive pediatric patients that underwent esophagoscopy for removal of foreign body from 1979 to 1989 are reviewed. Esophagoscopy under general anesthesia is the safest technique for the removal of impacted foreign bodies in the esophagus.