GI FOREIGN BODIES (FB): When to remove?

GI FOREIGN BODIES (FB): When to remove?

§  FB in the esophagus such as button battery, sharp FB and symptomatic FB should be removed immediately.

§  Coins and smooth FBs in the esophagus can be removed within 24 hours and it is imperative that underlying esophageal stenosis should be excluded.

§  Most FBs in the stomach, which are small, smooth and round, are passed out naturally and therefore it is preferable to observe and wait for at least a week or even more. FBs retained in the stomach for more than 7 days need endoscopy removal.

§  However, larger objects greater than 2 cm, long greater than 5 cm, sharp objects, needles and button battery in the stomach should be removed endoscopically.

§  Button battery ingestion is a common problem in children and these batteries should be removed as early as possible as leaking button batteries can cause perforation and tissue necrosis.