Diagnosis and Management of Ingested Foreign Bodies in Unusual Localizations: A Case Series

AbstractBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentations associated with ingested foreign bodies located in unusual regions of the gastrointestinal tract and to highlight the diagnostic challenges and management strategies encountered in such cases.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 96 patients who presented to the Department of General Surgery at Van Yuzuncu yıl University between January 2015 and December 2022 and were found to have foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract outside the esophagus and stomach. Demographic and clinical characteristics, type and localization of the foreign body, diagnostic methods, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Direct radiography and computed tomography were used for diagnostic evaluation. Treatment strategies were determined according to the patient’s clinical condition and included conservative follow-up, endoscopic removal, or surgical intervention.Results: The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (52.1%) and nausea or vomiting (34.4%). Foreign bodies were most frequently located in the terminal ileum (31.3%) and jejunum (22.9%). Metallic objects (28.1%) and bone fragments (22.9%) were the most commonly identified foreign bodies. Conservative management was applied in 40.6% of cases, endoscopic removal in 21.9%, and surgical intervention in 37.5%. Among surgically treated patients, the most common indications were perforation (44.4%) and mechanical obstruction (30.6%). No mortality occurred, and the early complication rate was 14.6%.Conclusions: Foreign bodies located in unusual gastrointestinal sites may present with atypical symptoms and lead to delayed diagnosis. Early recognition and timely intervention remain essential for reducing morbidity and preventing complications.