Shahid Y. Modern endoscopist’s toolbox: Innovations in foreign body removal. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2025; 17(6): 106099 [DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i6.106099]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yumna Shahid, Academic Fellow, Clinical Fellow, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan. yumnashahid664@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jun 16, 2025; 17(6): 106099 Published online Jun 16, 2025. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i6.106099
Modern endoscopist’s toolbox: Innovations in foreign body removal
Yumna Shahid
Yumna Shahid, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan
Author contributions: Shahid Y designed the manuscript, reviewed literature, created tables and figures, wrote the manuscript and completed final draft.
Conflict-of-interest statement: We have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yumna Shahid, Academic Fellow, Clinical Fellow, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan. yumnashahid664@gmail.com
Received: February 17, 2025 Revised: March 23, 2025 Accepted: April 22, 2025 Published online: June 16, 2025 Processing time: 115 Days and 15.7 Hours
Abstract
Foreign body ingestion is a common gastrointestinal emergency, particularly in children, who account for 80% of cases. While most ingested objects pass spontaneously, around 20% require medical intervention. In adults, incidents often occur accidentally during meals, leading to impactions, especially in individuals with underlying esophageal conditions. Endoscopy remains the gold standard for foreign body retrieval, with a success rate exceeding 95%. The type, shape, and location of the foreign body determine the clinical presentation and management approach. Sharp objects, batteries, and large items pose the highest risk of complications, including perforation, obstruction, and chemical injury. Prompt endoscopic removal is guided by established protocols, with emergent intervention required for complete esophageal obstruction and high-risk objects. Various retrieval devices, including forceps, snares, baskets, and overtubes, are used based on the nature of the foreign body. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence-assisted imaging and endoscopic ultrasound, are improving diagnostic precision and procedural outcomes. Despite these advances, foreign body ingestion can still lead to severe complications if not managed in a timely manner. Public awareness, preventive measures, and rapid medical response are essential in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with foreign body ingestion.
Core Tip: Foreign body ingestion is a common yet potentially life-threatening emergency, especially in young children and elderly. While most cases resolve spontaneously, some require urgent endoscopic intervention to prevent severe complications like perforation, obstruction, and chemical burns. Advanced endoscopic instruments may be tiny, but they are remarkably smart-capable of maneuvering and extracting foreign objects with precision. Specialized retrieval devices such as forceps, snares, baskets, overtubes, and retrieval nets play a crucial role in safely dislodging and removing impacted items. With evolving technology, endoscopy continues to revolutionize foreign body management, ensuring faster, safer, and more effective patient outcomes.
