Foreign Bodies and Bezoars

Foreign Bodies in the Stomach and Intestine

Asim Maqbool

Chris A. Liacouras

Once in the stomach, 95% of all ingested objects pass without difficulty through the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract. Perforation after ingestion of a foreign body is estimated to be <1% of all objects ingested. Perforation tends to occur in areas of physiologic sphincters (pylorus, ileocecal valve), acute angulation (duodenal sweep), congenital gut malformations (webs, diaphragms, diverticula), or areas of previous bowel surgery.

Most patients who ingest foreign bodies are between the ages of 6 mo and 6 yr. Coins are the most commonly ingested foreign body in children, and meat or food impactions are the most common accidental foreign body in adolescents and adults. Patients with nonfood foreign bodies often describe a history of ingestion. Young children might have a witness to ingestion. Immediate concerns are what the foreign body is, the location of the foreign body, the size of the foreign body, and the time that the ingestion occurred. Approximately 90% of foreign bodies are opaque. Radiologic examination is routinely performed to determine the type, number, and location of the suspected objects. Contrast radiographs may be necessary to demonstrate some objects, such as plastic parts or toys.

Conservative management is indicated for most foreign bodies that have passed through the esophagus and entered the stomach. Most objects pass though the intestine in 4-6 days, although some take as long as 3-4 wk. While waiting for the object to pass, parents are instructed to continue a regular diet and to observe the stools for the appearance of the ingested object. Cathartics should be avoided. Exceptionally long or sharp objects are usually monitored radiologically. Parents or patients should be instructed to report abdominal pain, vomiting, persistent fever, and hematemesis or melena immediately to their physicians. Failure of the object to progress within 3-4 wk seldom implies an impeding perforation but may be associated with a congenital malformation or acquired bowel abnormality.

Certain objects pose more risk than others. In cases of sharp foreign bodies, such as straight pins, weekly assessments are required. Surgical removal is necessary if the patient develops symptoms or signs of obstruction or perforation or if the foreign body fails to progress for several weeks. Small magnets used to secure earrings or parts of toys are associated with bowel perforation. Whereas a single magnet in the stomach may not require intervention in an asymptomatic child, a magnet in the esophagus requires immediate removal. When the multiple magnets disperse after ingestion, they may be attracted to each other across bowel walls, leading to pressure necrosis and perforation ( Fig. 360.1 ). Inexpensive toy medallions containing lead can lead to lead toxicity. Newer coins can also decompose when subjected to prolonged acid exposure. Unless multiple coins are ingested, the metals released are unlikely to pose a clinical risk.

Ingestion of batteries rarely leads to problems, but symptoms can arise from leakage of alkali or heavy metal (mercury) from battery degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Batteries can also generate electrical current and thereby cause low-voltage electrical burns to the intestine. If patients experience symptoms such as vomiting or abdominal pain, if a large-diameter battery (>20 mm in diameter) remains in the stomach for longer than 48 hr, or if a lithium battery is ingested, the battery should be removed. Batteries larger than 15 mm that do not pass the pylorus within 48 hr are less likely to pass spontaneously and generally require removal. In children younger than 6 yr of age, batteries larger than 15 mm are not likely to pass spontaneously and should be removed endoscopically. If the patient develops peritoneal signs, surgical removal is required. Batteries beyond the duodenum pass per rectum in 85% within 72 hr. The battery should be identified by size and imprint code or by evaluation of a duplicate measurement of the battery compartment. The National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline (202-625-3333) can be called for help in identification. The Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) can be called as well for ingestion of batteries and caustic materials. Lithium batteries result in more severe injury than a button alkali battery, with damage occurring in minutes. Button batteries in a symptomatic child should be removed, or if there are multiple batteries, they should be removed.

In older children and adults, oval objects larger than 5 cm in diameter or 2 cm in thickness tend to lodge in the stomach and should be endoscopically retrieved. Thin long objects >6 cm in length fail to negotiate the pylorus or duodenal sweep and should also be removed. In infants and toddlers, objects >3 cm in length or >20 mm in diameter do not usually pass through the pylorus and should be removed. An open safety pin presents a major problem and requires urgent endoscopic removal if within reach. Razor blades can be managed with a rigid endoscope by pulling the blade into instrument. The endoscopist can alternatively use a rubber hood on the head of the endoscope to protect the esophagus. Other sharp objects (needles, bones, pins) usually pass the stomach, but complications may be as high as 35%; if possible, they should be removed by endoscope if in the stomach or proximal duodenum. If sharp objects are not able to be removed but no progress is observed in location during 3 days, surgical removal is indicated. Drugs (aggregated iron pills, cocaine) may have to be surgically removed; initial management can include oral polyethylene glycol lavage. Drug body packing (heroin, cocaine) is usually seen on kidneys-ureters-bladder or CT imaging and often passes without incident. Endoscopic procedures may rupture the material, causing severe toxicity. Surgery is indicated if toxicity develops, if the packages fail to progress, or if there are signs of obstruction.

Ingestion of magnets poses a danger to children. The number of magnets is thought to be critical. If a single magnet is ingested, there is the least likelihood of complications. If 2 or more magnets are ingested, the magnetic poles are attracted to each other and create the risk of obstruction, fistula development, and perforation. Endoscopic retrieval is emergent after films are taken when multiple magnets are ingested. Abdominal pain or peritoneal signs require urgent surgical intervention. If all magnets are located in the stomach, immediate endoscopic removal is indicated. If the ingestion occurred greater than 12 hr prior to evaluation, or if the magnets are beyond the stomach and the patient is symptomatic, general surgery should be consulted. If the patient is asymptomatic, endoscopic or colonoscopic removal may be considered, along with a surgical evaluation.

Lead-based foreign bodies can cause symptoms from lead intoxication. Early endoscopic removal is indicated of an object suspected to contain lead. A lead level should be obtained.

Water-absorbing polymer balls (beads) can expand to approximately 400 times their starting size and if ingested may produce intestinal obstruction. Initially of a small diameter, they pass the pylorus only to rapidly enlarge in the small intestine. Surgical removal is indicated.

Children occasionally place objects in their rectum. Small blunt objects usually pass spontaneously, but large or sharp objects typically need to be retrieved. Adequate sedation is essential to relax the anal sphincter before attempting endoscopic or speculum removal. If the object is proximal to the rectum, observation for 12-24 hr usually allows the object to descend into the rectum.