Management of Ingested and Aspirated Foreign Bodies

Management of Ingested and Aspirated Foreign Bodies

  • Dr. Marion Arnold — Marion Arnold is a Pediatric Surgeon based at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. She has special interests in colorectal and neonatal surgery as well as vascular malformations, short bowel syndrome and palliative care. She has been at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital since 2016, following 3 years at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, after training at both institutions, completing her Pediatric Surgery training through the University of Stellenbosch. Her undergraduate medical degree was obtained at the University of Pretoria in 2004. A 6-month fellowship in 2019 in the Centre for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction in Columbus, Ohio cemented her passion for improving colorectal care in children, and she strives to improve care for these and other conditions through collaboration, research and education. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town.

Paediatrics · Paediatric Surgery

Ingested and aspirated foreign bodies are important clinical emergencies, particularly in children, and require rapid recognition to prevent airway compromise, obstruction, perforation, or other complications. Presentation varies according to the location and nature of the foreign body, ranging from choking, coughing, wheezing, and respiratory distress to dysphagia, drooling, vomiting, or nonspecific respiratory symptoms. Assessment involves careful history and examination, with appropriate imaging when indicated, while maintaining a high index of suspicion even when initial findings are inconclusive. Management depends on whether the object is in the airway or gastrointestinal tract and may require urgent endoscopic or bronchoscopic removal. Early identification, appropriate stabilization, and timely intervention are essential to minimize morbidity and prevent serious complications. The Pan African Pediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA) would conduct a medical conference entitled “Management of Ingested and Aspirated Foreign Bodies”.