Retrospective evaluation of the demographic and clinical features of patients applying for foreign substance in the gastrointestinal system

In this study, 499 cases hospitalized in our clinic due to foreign body ingestion during the 20-year period between 01,01,2000-01,01,2020 were examined. Among these cases, 252 cases that were operated due to foreign body in the esophagus were mainly examined. In 252 cases, more than half of the patients (51.4%) had no active complaints however, the most common complaints were painful swallowing (odynophagia) (36%), inability to swallow saliva (25.3%), vomiting (18.6%), chest pain (8.7%), coughing (4.7%).In 18 cases, foreign body was removed with magill forceps with the help of laryngoscope without the need for esophagoscopy during the operation. While foreign body was removed with esophagoscope in 215 cases, foreign body could not be detected in the esophagus in 19 cases. In 9 cases, due to complications and long waiting in the GIS the foreign body was removed by laparotomy. Each case should be evaluated in its own way with all its features and the patients should be treated quickly by determining the most appropriate treatment method.Considering that foreign body ingestion is a partially preventable pathology, radical and multidisciplinary measures are needed for children to grow up in a safer environment