Unusual Foreign Bodies in Gastrointestinal Tract: A Three-year Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Majority of foreign body ingestion occurs in paediatric population with a peak incidence between ages of 6 months and 6 years. In adults, foreign body ingestion occurs more commonly in those with psychiatric disorders, developmental delay, alcohol intoxication, and in incarcerated individuals seeking gains via release to a medical facility. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was done in a tertiary care hospital of northern India over a period of three year and included all patients who presented with ingestion or insertion of foreign bodies. Complete history and detailed clinical examination of patients was done. Patients with foreign bodies in their nose or ear with excluded from this study. Result and Discussion: After applying the exclusion criteria, 183 patients were enrolled in this study. Majority of patients were children ranging from 2 years to 15 years of age. Majority of cases of foreign bodies were coins and safety pins followed by other metallic bodies such as Pins, Screws, and nails. The most common site was the Stomach which constituted about 50% of all cases. Most of the patients were managed conservatively with spontaneous expulsion of foreign bodies via stools and were discharged. Conclusion: Our aim in this study is to create an awareness regarding the various hazards related to foreign body ingestion. There is a need to create awareness in the society regarding the issue especially among the younger age group and their caretakers so that incidences of foreign body ingestion can be reduced.