Clinical Report: Outcomes of Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal from the Alimentary Tract

Overview

This study reviews 1,162 cases of endoscopic foreign body removal, achieving a success rate of 98.1% with a low complication rate of 0.6%. Key risk factors for procedural failure include sharp pointed foreign bodies, delayed intervention, and multiple attempts.

Background

Foreign body impaction in the alimentary tract is a significant clinical emergency, particularly affecting children and older adults. Endoscopic removal is a common method for managing these cases, with success rates and complication rates reported in the literature. Understanding the factors that contribute to procedural failure is important.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Endoscopic removal was successful in 1,140 cases (98.1%).
• Majority of foreign bodies were located in the upper GI tract (97.3%).
• Accidental ingestion was the cause in 89.7% of cases.
• Moderate-to-severe complications occurred in 0.6% of cases.
• Independent risk factors for failure included sharp pointed FB (p = 0.014), delayed intervention (p = 0.035), and multiple attempts (p < 0.001).

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the success rate of endoscopic removal for foreign body impaction and the complication rate associated with the procedure.

Conclusion

Endoscopic management of gastrointestinal foreign body impaction is effective and safe.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- High-Risk foreign body ingestion in children: clinical features and endoscopic outcomes
2. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Imaging characteristics of gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children and analysis of risk factors associated with the severity of complications
3. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment of Magnetic Bead Ingestion in Children: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
4. Surgical Endoscopy, 2021 -- Effectiveness of Endoscopic Techniques for Addressing Anastomotic Leakage Following Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients
5. Foreign Body Ingestion: Radiologic Evaluation, Findings, and Management - PMC
6. American College of Gastroenterology, 2025 -- Double-Blind Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Glucagon Vs Placebo in the Resolution of Alimentary Esophageal Impaction
7. Foreign Body Ingestion: Radiologic Evaluation, Findings, and Management - PMC
8. Double-Blind Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Glucagon Vs Placebo in the Resolution of Alimentary Esophageal Impaction - American College of Gastroenterology