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Foreign body ingestion

Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed by Dr Karen MartinReviewed on 19.10.2023 | 2 minutes read
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Foreign body ingestion occurs with any object that is small enough to pass into the mouth and be swallowed. This happens more often in children but can also happen in adults, especially with food such as fish bones or medications. Most foreign bodies will pass on their own without any intervention. In children especially, some foreign bodies can be life-threatening if they obstruct the airways. In others, damage can occur to the windpipe and the digestive tract.

What are the symptoms of foreign body ingestion?

Children that have ingested something can present with obvious choking or difficulty breathing, even turning blue in severe cases and losing consciousness if their airway is blocked. They may also present with drooling, wheezing, retching, vomiting, and difficulty eating or drinking.

Adults are much more able to verbalize that something is stuck and indicate where they think it is stuck, so their common complaint is often pain or difficulty swallowing. If the obstruction is partial, then the presentation is more insidious with repeated infections, fever, cough, poor appetite, or failure to grow as expected.

What will my doctor do?

Foreign bodies should be dealt with by your nearest emergency department as soon as you are aware that it has happened and if it is causing you any symptoms or discomfort.

The transparency of the object will determine the correct investigation required to visualize it properly. If the object is not see-through, then X-rays can be helpful. Thin objects like bones from food, metals, or plastic are not easily seen on X-rays. CT scans are helpful for showing up most kinds of foreign bodies. If there is any immediate obstruction, the doctors may arrange an urgent endoscopy (camera down your throat) to locate and remove the blockage.

What objects are most concerning?

Sharp objects like toothpicks can cause ruptures or tears to the inner lining of the digestive tract. Batteries and metal objects can corrode and damage the surrounding surface, as well as causing metal poisoning if not removed quickly enough. It is important to seek urgent medical advice right away if any of these or similar objects have been ingested. Foreign bodies that are not removed quickly can also lead to an infection, abscess, or a blockage depending on the size of the tube they are stuck inside.

How is it managed?

It is very important that if there is any obstruction to the airway, an ambulance is called immediately. Children need to remain as calm as possible because any distress can cause worsening symptoms. If there is a life-threatening situation, an emergency procedure to open up the airways can be performed by emergency services. At the hospital, doctors can undertake a number of methods to open up the airway and remove the entrapped foreign body.

Patients who are stable and have no threat to their life will be reviewed, investigations may be arranged to locate the object, and the patient will be followed up regularly to ensure there is no worsening of symptoms.

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Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed by Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed on 19.10.2023
EmailFacebookPinterestTwitter