Pediatric foreign body removal

Our pediatric gastroenterologists use minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to remove foreign objects that are stuck in a child’s digestive system. We work quickly to safely remove stuck objects with minimal discomfort for your child. Our training and experience in minimally invasive techniques enable us to provide exceptional care without the need for surgery.

What is pediatric foreign body removal?

A foreign body is any item that someone swallows – including food – that becomes stuck before it reaches the stomach. If you believe your child has swallowed something they shouldn’t, contact their doctor or seek emergency care immediately.

Pediatric foreign body removal involves a minimally invasive procedure called upper endoscopy. Our doctors insert a long, narrow, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) through your child’s mouth and throat. We guide the scope into their esophagus (tube that connects the throat to the stomach) to see and remove the foreign body. Your child will have medicine to put them in a sleep-like state and feel no pain during the procedure.

What are the benefits of pediatric foreign body removal?

Young children often explore objects by putting them in their mouths, and they may swallow a foreign body on purpose or by accident. Most foreign bodies pass through your child’s digestive system (throat, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines) without causing any problems. But large, sharp or toxic objects require emergency medical attention.

The key benefit of endoscopic foreign body removal is that the procedure safely removes foreign objects from the digestive system without surgery. Endoscopy requires no incisions (cuts), which means most children need very little recovery time. At Children’s Health℠, our endoscopists are pediatric GI doctors with specialized training and experience in minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for children.

What are the side effects of pediatric foreign body removal?

Some children may experience a sore throat for a few days.

What are the risks of pediatric foreign body removal?

An upper endoscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), to remove foreign bodies is a safe, effective procedure for your child. But every procedure carries a risk of complications.

Your child’s doctor will explain the possible risks for your child, which may include:

• Allergic or other negative reaction to medications for sedation or anesthesia

• Infection

• Tear (perforation) in the esophagus or stomach (very rare)

• Inability to locate the foreign body

• Foreign body that has passed beyond reach

At Children’s Health, we work carefully to minimize your child’s risks. Your child’s health and safety are our highest priorities.

What to expect with pediatric foreign body removal?

Our pediatric gastroenterologists (specialists in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the digestive system) have years of advanced training in endoscopy for children. We’re skilled in using the smaller tools and instruments needed to perform these procedures in children. Your child’s care is in expert hands with our team.

What to expect before pediatric foreign body removal

Because an endoscopic foreign body removal is usually urgent, you won’t need to prepare your child for the procedure. It’s helpful if you can tell our care team:

• What the foreign body is and when your child swallowed it, if you know (if a similar item is available, bring it or a picture of it)

• Whether your child is taking any medications

• Whether your child has any medical conditions, allergies or has had previous surgery

• Whether your child has previously had a foreign body stuck in their throat or esophagus

We may take X-rays to identify the object and determine its exact location. If the object is food, we may decide to push it into the stomach. There, it will be digested normally and pass out of your child’s body through the stool (poop).

Foreign bodies that need to be removed include:

• Batteries of any size

• Large objects (2.5 inches/6 cm or greater)

• Magnets, because they can attract to each other inside the intestines and cause a tear

• Coins of specific sizes

• Sharp or pointed objects such as bones, screws, nails, toothpicks or pencils

• Super-absorbent polymer beads

What to expect during pediatric foreign body removal

Just before the procedure, we will give your child medicine (anesthesia or sedation). This medicine will help them feel no pain and either relax or be in a sleep-like state.

During the procedure, the doctor will insert the endoscope through your child’s mouth and throat. The scope lets them see into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The doctor will then pass small instruments through the scope to either:

• Grasp the object and pull it out with the scope to remove it

• Push the object down into the stomach, if it’s food stuck in the esophagus

What to expect after pediatric foreign body removal

When the procedure is complete, we will take your child to the recovery room (post-anesthesia care unit or PACU) to wake up from the anesthesia or sedation. Our nurses will monitor your child closely and check their breathing, blood pressure and pulse. We make sure they’re comfortable and may give them clear juice or other liquids.

The gastroenterologist will speak with you about how the procedure went, and you can go to your child in the PACU. Our care team will provide complete instructions on how to care for your child at home. You can take them home after about one hour in the wake-up room.

What questions should I ask my provider about pediatric foreign body removal?

Before the procedure, you may want to ask the care team these questions:

• Will my child need to spend the night at the hospital after a pediatric foreign body removal?

• Are there other treatment options for a swallowed foreign object?

• How soon will I be able to see my child after a pediatric foreign body removal?