Risk factors predicting the development of complications after foreign body ingestion

Abstract

In patients with a foreign body seen on plain cervical radiography, presentation delayed for more than 2 days after ingestion, and foreign body impacted at the level of the cricopharyngeus or oesophagus there is a high degree of correlation with the occurrence of complications. Awareness should be raised when these risk factors are present.

Foreign bodies in the oesophagus - surgery for failed endoscopic retrieval

“…In adults it can be accidental ingestion of an ill-fitting partial denture, under alcohol intoxication or in a patient with psychiatric illness or mental retardation. 12,13 The common age group in children where FB ingestion is common is between 6 months and 6 years. Patients can present with foreign body sensation, drooling, respiratory distress due to tracheal compression, vomiting and dysphagia, depending on the location and nature of foreign body.…”

Unintentional Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in the Laryngopharynx

“…3,4 A study of 1,338 patients by Lai et.al revealed that the commonest location for a foreign body was the valleculae (31.4%). 4 On most occasions, the ingested fishbone passes uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract within one week. 5 However, ingestion of foreign body may pose a potentially lethal risk, which mandates surgical exploration.…”

Migrating Ingested Foreign Body of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract with Resultant Septic Shock : Case Report and Literature Review

“…3,4 Lai et al studied 29 cases of foreign body ingestion followed by complications to assess the risk factors which predict the occurrence of the latter. 7 They included age, delayed presentation, comorbidities, cricopharyngeal impaction and radiographic identification. A case series demonstrated that oesophageal perforation may occur within 24 hours of ingestion whereas neck abscesses following ingestion may present after 4 or more days.…”