Endoscopic removal of 115 foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract in children

Over the past 25 years (1984–1992 in the Apáthy István and 1992–2002 in Heim Pál Children Hospital, thereafter until 2009 in Pediatric Surgical and Traumatological Department of St. John's Hospital) 115 foreign bodies were removed endoscopically from the esophagus, stomach and duodenum of 115 children. The age of patients was 6 months to 6 years. At older ages only pschycosomatically retarded children swallowed foreign objects intentionally. The most problematic areas were hypopharynx, cardia, pylorus, duodenal loop, the region of ligament of Treitz. By any suspicion of swallowed foreign body X ray investigation…