ABSTRACT
Foreign body ingestions commonly occur throughout the world. However, numerous complications have been reported with retained foreign bodies in the stomach. Therefore, understanding the indications for endoscopic removal of gastric foreign objects as well as the limitations of endoscopic modalities due to the smaller patient size is critical. Presenting symptoms depend upon the type, location, size, and duration of the foreign body ingestion. Gender distribution in older patients with foreign body ingestion favors males. The type of foreign body ingested varies with age and geography. In children from North America and Europe, coins represent up to 80% of foreign body ingestions. Expert recommendations discourage the use of contrast studies to identify foreign bodies because of the associated risk of aspiration as well as coating of the foreign body and GI mucosa which may preclude and delay endoscopic studies and retrieval. Once the object reaches the stomach, management differs significantly from esophageal foreign bodies.
