Management
If the foreign body or food passes into the stomach, there is a strong chance that it will pass unhindered through the rest of the gastrointestinal tract in about 5 days. In general, patients should be treated expectantly.
Endoscopic removal is indicated for:
- sharp objects
- toxic objects e.g. button batteries
- long objects: more than 6 cm in children and more than 13 cm in adults
Laparotomy should only be undertaken if there is a suggestion that perforation has developed. If the site of perforation cannot be found, the patient is treated with antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition, nasogastric suction, and an abdominal drain near the suspected site.
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