Case Report of Nail Ingestion in a Child: Any Need for Operation?

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion in children remains a common paediatric surgical problem particularly when the object ingested is sharp. Sharp objects ingestion is associated higher risk of complication such as perforation of viscus and therefore, increases the need for surgical intervention. The article is a clinical report on ingestion of a nail, with rare size and unique shape by a 6-year-old unsupervised child that was managed non-operatively. Clinical monitoring and an X-ray film are the first options that should be considered in foreign body ingestion. Non-operative care may suffice especially when there is a significant onward movement of the ingested foreign body leading to safe expulsion as long as there is no symptom indicative of any complication. Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common surgical emergency in children requiring close monitoring with or without surgical intervention.