Retrospective Analysis of Management of Ingested Foreign Bodies in Emergency Department

Abstract

Patients and Methods: This single center, retrospective study involved patients presenting to a tertiary emergency department with foreign bodies in the airway or gastrointestinal system. Non-traumatic, non-pregnant patients aged 18 or over were scanned through the ICD-10 diagnostic code. Age and sex, reasons for ingestion/insert on (unintentional, for suicide, or for sexual gratification), the type of object, test data, treatment, complications and mortality were recorded. Results:The mean age of the 189 patients included was 36, and 59.2% were women. Ingest on was unintentional in 86.2%, for suicide in 10.6%, and for sexual gratification in 3.2%. Unintentional ingestion was more common in women, while ingestion for self-harm was unique to men. Fish bones, pins, garlic, and teeth were most frequently encountered in unintentional ingestions. The most commonly ingested objects for self-harm were sharp items such as razor blades and nails. Flexible laryngoscopy was employed in 40.7% of cases and endoscopic interventions in 57.6%. Foreign bodies were removed with flexible laryngoscopy or endoscopy in 61.3% of cases, and surgery was performed on 6.9%. Foreign bodies were most encountered in the larynx-pharynx, esophagus, and stomach.None of the patients died. No complications were detected. Conclusion:Foreign body ingestion is a widespread, global clinical problem. Our hospital receives many presentations involving foreign body ingestion, and the emergency and gastroenterology departments have considerable experience in this area. The endoscopic approach was the safest and most effective method due to its high success and low complication rates.