ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF FOREIGN-BODIES IN THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED

Although foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract are common in ch ildren, they are rare in the adult. Complications of the foreign bodie s are well recognized to be a cause of obstruction, bleeding and perfo ration of the intestine, or furthermore, they sometimes lead to death unfortunately. On the other hand, it is very difficult to diagnose and treat foreign bodies in the handicapped because of disability of comp laining the symptoms. This paper reports a 31-year-old severe handicap ped man suffering from foreign bodies in the esophagus and the small i ntestine, and was successfull removed by endoscope.