Removal of a dinner fork from the stomach by double-snare endoscopic extraction

PTL Yong, CH Teh, M Look, SB Wee, JCH Tan, SP Chew, CH Low
Grace Polyclinic, 134 East Coast Road, Singapore 428819, Singapore

Long and pointed foreign objects in the stomach are difficult to remove by endoscopy, and they can cause complications such as perforation and impaction. The endoscopic removal of long and pointed objects involves the following principles: (1) presenting the blunt end cephalad to prevent perforation or impaction during extraction; (2) orienting the long axis of the object in the line of extraction; and (3) applying traction to the foreign body without losing grip. Currently practised methods of extraction, which use a protector hood or an overtube, do not address these three principles. We report on a case in which an ingested metal dinner fork was removed from the stomach by using a double wire-loop snare technique. This method uses two snares to hold the object and allows the endoscopist to change the presentation, orient the axis, and maintain traction to allow the safe removal of long and pointed objects.

Hong Kong Med J 2000;6:319-21

Key words: Endoscopy, gastrointestinal; Foreign bodies/therapy; Gastroscopy/methods; Stomach