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Review
. 2007 Apr;17(2):361-82, vii.
doi: 10.1016/j.giec.2007.03.002.

Foreign bodies

Milton T Smith  1 , Roy K H Wong
Affiliations
Review

Foreign bodies

Milton T Smith et al. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2007 Apr.

Abstract

The spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies includes food bolus impaction in the esophagus, nonfood objects that are swallowed, and various objects that may be inserted into the rectum. The risk depends upon the type of object and its location. Fortunately, 80% to 90% of ingested foreign bodies will pass without intervention. Objects with sharp edges or pointed tips have the highest risk of complications, up to 35%. All objects impacted in the esophagus require urgent or emergent treatment. Rectal foreign bodies are usually removable transanally, although general anesthesia and operative intervention sometimes are required.

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