Overtube-Assisted Foreign Body Removal: A Review of Endoscopic Management and Case Illustration

Abstract

The ingestion of foreign bodies is a common medical emergency seen in both adults and children. In children, the most commonly ingested foreign bodies include coins, toys, magnets, and batteries. In adults, food bolus impaction represents the most common cause of foreign body ingestion. The majority of foreign bodies pass spontaneously. Sharp or pointed objects increase the risk of perforation. Emergent endoscopic intervention is indicated in cases of esophageal obstruction, ingestion of disk batteries, and sharp pointed objects in the esophagus. Flexible endoscopy is the therapeutic method of choice for removing foreign bodies. It is preferred due to its high success rate and low risk for complications. Additionally, the use of an overtube provides gastric and esophageal protection from mucosal laceration. We present a 27-year-old male who ingested six razor blades and a curtain hook and review endoscopic management.

Keywords: endoscopy; foreign body; overtube; treatment management.

Figure 1. A – Coronal computed tomography scan of a curtain hook (arrow). B – Axial computed tomography scan showing a curtain hook and a single razor blade (arrows). C – Endoscopic visualization of razor blades and a curtain hook in the stomach. D – Razor blade seen at the gastroesophageal junction. E – Overtube (asterisk) was used to protect the mucosal wall during foreign body removal. F – Six razor blades and a curtain hook were sequentially removed from the body of the stomach.