Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

In clinical practice, we often encounter foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract and perform emergency endoscopic treatment. We analyzed 31 patients (12 males and 19 females, mean age: 58.2 years) who underwent endoscopic removal of foreign bodies at our hospital from May 2016 to May 2020. The foreign bodies were anisakis in 12, a press-through-package in 9, a fishbone in 3, a denture in 2, a coin battery in 2, a food bolus in 2, and a toothbrush in 1. The locations of the foreign bodies were as follows: the esophagus in 14, the stomach in 16, and the duodenum in 1. All objects were removed by grasping forceps and a retrieval net, and measures were taken to prevent further mucosal damage. The endoscopic treatment strategy differs depending on the type and location of the foreign body. It is important to evaluate conditions by imaging before endoscopic treatment is performed.