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Foreign Body Removal in Delhi

Foreign Body Removal

Foreign body removal refers to the medical procedure of locating and extracting objects that have been accidentally swallowed, inhaled, or inserted into the body. This is a common emergency in gastroenterology, pediatrics, ENT (ear, nose, throat), and pulmonology, and it requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent serious complications.
Foreign bodies can lodge in the esophagus, stomach, intestines, airway, ear, nose, or even skin and soft tissues. The removal technique depends on the type, size, location, and potential risk of the object.

Common Types of Foreign Bodies
  • Swallowed objects: coins, buttons, toys, food bolus (meat impaction), batteries, magnets, sharp objects like pins or bones.
  • Inhaled objects (airway foreign bodies): peanuts, small toys, beads, seeds.
  • Nasal/ear foreign bodies: beads, buttons, small stones, insects.
  • Soft tissue foreign bodies: splinters, glass, metal fragments.
Causes and Risk Groups
  • Children (especially ages 6 months to 5 years): most common group due to curiosity and tendency to put objects in the mouth.
  • Elderly people: due to dentures, difficulty swallowing, or neurological conditions.
  • Psychiatric patients or prisoners: sometimes ingest foreign bodies intentionally.
  • Accidental swallowing: during eating (fish/chicken bones, large pills).
Symptoms of Foreign Body Lodgement

1. Esophagus / Digestive Tract

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Pain in chest or throat.
  • Drooling, gagging, or choking
  • Vomiting or inability to eat

2. Airway (Lungs/Trachea)

  • Sudden coughing or choking episode
  • Difficulty breathing, wheezing, stridor

3. Ear / Nose

  • Pain, discharge, foul smell
  • Hearing loss (ear)
  • Nasal blockage, sneezing, bleeding (nose)
Conclusion

Foreign body removal is an essential medical procedure performed when objects become stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, airway, ear, nose, or other body parts. The most effective and safe techniques involve endoscopy for the digestive tract and bronchoscopy for the airway, though surgical intervention may be necessary in complicated cases.
While the procedure is generally safe, untreated cases can lead to life-threatening complications such as perforation, infection, or airway obstruction. Timely medical intervention and preventive measures, especially in children, are key to reducing the risks associated with foreign body ingestion or aspiration.

What is foreign body removal?

Foreign body removal is a medical procedure used to safely take out objects that have been accidentally swallowed, inhaled, or inserted into the body (such as the esophagus, stomach, airway, ear, or nose). It is commonly done using endoscopy, bronchoscopy, or minor surgical methods depending on the location of the object.

What are the most common foreign bodies that require removal?

  • Children: coins, toys, beads, buttons, batteries, magnets.
  • Adults: food bolus (meat, fish/chicken bones), dentures, sharp objects.
  • Airway cases: peanuts, seeds, small toys.
  • Ear/Nose cases: stones, beads, cotton, insects.

How is foreign body removal performed?

  • Digestive tract: through endoscopy using retrieval tools.
  • Airway: by bronchoscopy (rigid or flexible).
  • Ear/Nose: using suction, forceps, or hooks.
  • Surgery: only if the object cannot be removed safely with less invasive methods.

Is foreign body removal painful or dangerous?

The procedure is usually done under sedation or anesthesia, so patients generally do not feel pain. It is considered safe when performed by trained specialists, but like any procedure, it carries small risks such as bleeding, infection, or tissue injury.