Endoscopic extraction of a chopstick impacted in the gastric antrum

A 36-year-old woman was referred for moderate epigastric pain following intentional ingestion of a 26-cm chopstick; this was attributed to a family disturbance 7 days earlier. As there were no systemic symptoms of peritonitis or significant bleeding, an emergency upper endoscopy was performed. The examination showed the lower end of the chopstick impacted in the gastric antrum ([Fig. 1 a]) while the upper end was proximal to the gastric fundus. An open snare was initially maneuvered to grasp the chopstick from the upper end, but this failed after repeated attempts. Then we used a closed snare to slightly lift up the chopstick, and successfully grasped the upper end of the chopstick ([Fig. 1 b]). After adjusting the direction of the chopstick, we easily extracted it with withdrawal of the scope ([Fig. 1 c]). An area showing hyperemia and swelling without perforation remained ([Fig. 1 d]; [Video 1]). The patient returned to her normal diet on the first postoperative day with no discomfort.

Fig. 1 a A chopstick impacted in the gastric antrum. b The chopstick is grasped with a snare. c The extracted long chopstick. d An area of hyperemia and swelling remained.

Most ingested foreign bodies can pass spontaneously, but endoscopic interventions are frequently needed in cases of intentional ingestion [1]. It is also reported that foreign bodies longer than 6 cm, such as eating utensils, have difficulty in passing through the stomach [1]. Snares are often used to grasp such long objects [2]. Our experience in extracting such long columnar foreign bodies suggests that grasping them less than 1 cm from their upper end and adjusting them to be parallel to the lumen are helpful to avoid their getting stuck or causing damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Video 1 Endoscopic extraction of a chopstick impacted in the gastric antrum.

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Competing interests

None

Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the support of the Endoscopy Center of Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China.

^* Co-first authors

• References

• 1 Palta R, Sahota A, Bemarki A. et al. Foreign-body ingestion: characteristics and outcomes in a lower socioeconomic population with predominantly intentional ingestion. Gastrointest Endosc 2009; 69: 426-433
• 2 Ikenberry SO, Jue TL, Anderson MA. et al. Management of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions. Gastrointest Endosc 2011; 73: 1085-1091