Post written by Shinichi Morita, MD, from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine Niigata University Hospital, Niigata, Japan.

Endoscopic foreign body retrieval is an established treatment for accidental ingestion. Although forceps are most frequently used, grasping may be difficult depending on the type and shape of the foreign body.

The magnet tubes we used in this report are mainly used in children for retrieving metallic objects from the stomach under fluoroscopy. The tubes are inexpensive and have a guaranteed safety profile. However, owing to poor maneuverability and magnet size, it is sometimes difficult to reach the foreign body with the magnet tube tip.

The method we have reported here has many advantages. It is easy to reach the foreign body because it is manipulated with an endoscope, the location of the foreign body can be determined by fluoroscopy even if it is difficult to find endoscopically due to food residue. Metallic objects are sometimes difficult to grasp with forceps but can be easily captured by simply bringing a magnet close to them, and when abnormal resistance is encountered during retrieval, the magnet and the foreign body separate and there is little risk of damage to the digestive tract.

This technique can easily and efficiently retrieve metallic foreign bodies, not only needles, but also nails, thumbtacks, pachinko balls, coins, button batteries, etc, with minimal interference from food residue and avoid the difficulties of grasping with forceps.

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