Surgical Management of Foreign Body Ingestion in Adults: Case Series
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By
April 29, 2025
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7 min
Foreign body ingestion in adults can be associated with underlying gastrointestinal pathologies, psychiatric conditions, or altered mental status. While most foreign bodies pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract, approximately 10% to 20% require endoscopic removal and less than 1% necessitate surgery for complications like obstruction or perforation. The presented case series underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation even after successful surgeries, psychiatric stabilization alongside surgical management for recurrent foreign body ingestion, and the consideration of bezoars in elderly patients with certain predisposing factors.
1. Most foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously, but a percentage requires endoscopic removal or surgery due to complications like obstruction or perforation. 2. Comprehensive evaluation is essential even after apparently successful surgeries for foreign body ingestion. 3. Psychiatric stabilization is imperative alongside surgical management for recurrent cases. 4. Bezoars should be considered in elderly patients with dentition issues, rapid eating habits, or prior gastric surgeries. 5. Diagnostic history and imaging play essential roles in the diagnosis and management of foreign body ingestion.
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