RESUMO
Aim of the present study is the presentation of our experience in conservative treatment of coin-shaped, ingested foreign bodies in lower esophagus and the consideration about the indications of this method's appliance in clinical practice. From 2011 to 2014, 79 children in total (45 male - 34 female), aged from 8 months to 13 years (average 4.8 years) were admitted to our Department due to foreign body ingestion. In 21/79 patients the foreign body lodged in the esophagus, in 9 in the upper and in 12 in the lower esophagus. Cases of pre-existing esophageal stricture or of esophageal obstruction, due to sharp or linear foreign bodies or disk battery, were excluded. Finally, our study group consisted of 11 patients, aged from 10 months to 10 years (aver- age 4.6 years). The average time elapsed from the ingestion of the foreign body until the admission of the child in the Emergency Department was 4 hours. Young patients were administered suppository form of hyoscine-N-butylbromide, followed by repetition of radiograph 6 hours later. In 9 cases the ingested foreign body passed to the stomach within the first six hours, while in 2 cases no alteration of its position was noted, thus endoscopic removal followed. In these 9 cases the foreign body passed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and was excreted within the next 1-3 days. Smooth muscle relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter after administration of hyoscine-N-butylbromide was successful in 82% of our patients, while the success rate in relevant publications ranges from 20 to 42%. In conclusion, it is worth noting that the pharmaceutical relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter is a safe alternative method of treatment in cases of foreign bodies lodged in the lower esophagus, except for linear or sharp objects or coin batteries. Given that the majority of hospitals in Northern Greece lacks of pediatric gastroenterologists, while endoscopic intervention - when indicated - should be conducted early after admission, it is obvious that the proposed method becomes essential.