Endoscopic management of multiple broken scalpel blades in the gastrointestinal tract: a case report

Successful Retrieval of 35 Razors From the Stomach via Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy: A Case Report

Adult ingestion of foreign bodies in the digestive system is a common clinical challenge, often involving mentally impaired individuals, criminals, and drug dealers or occurring accidentally. Encounters with multiple sharp foreign bodies are infrequent and pose significant risks, including gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, perforation, internal fistulas, and infection. The choice between endoscopy and emergency surgery for removal is contentious, with the less invasive endoscopy typically favored as the first line of management, depending on the foreign body's location and endoscopic accessibility. The current literature on the treatment of numerous sharp foreign bodies is sparse. This case report illustrates the successful endoscopic removal of a large quantity of sharp foreign bodies (35 half blades) from the upper GI tract, utilizing various extraction tools. It also aims to contribute to the existing literature regarding management strategies for ingested sharp foreign bodies. A comprehensive account is provided of the clinical presentation, imaging studies, consultations, and endoscopic procedures performed, culminating in the patient's safe discharge from our facility.