Foreign bodies detected in the upper gastrointestinal tract and their treatment

Aim: This study aims to evaluate adult patients presenting to our emergency clinic with complaints of foreign body ingestion in the upper gastrointestinal system. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from 37 patients diagnosed with foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal system at Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Research and Training Hospital between June 2022 and November 2023 were analyzed. Patients were assessed based on demographic characteristics, symptoms, types and locations of foreign bodies, treatment methods, and complications. Results: The mean age of the patients was 62.7 years, with 45.9% being male and 54.1% female. The most common site of foreign body impaction was the upper esophageal sphincter (45.9%). The most frequently encountered foreign body types were food and meat (56.8%) and bones (21.6%). Endoscopic intervention successfully removed 70.3% of the foreign bodies, 13.5% were advanced into the stomach, and 16.2% were not detected. Complications included mucosal lacerations in 10 patients and perforations in 2 patients. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal system are critical for preventing severe complications. Flexible endoscopy is an effective and reliable method for managing such cases. Particularly in geriatric patients, education of patients and their caregivers is essential for preventing these incidents.