Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in the mentally and physically handicapped.

Although foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract are common in children, they are rare in the adult. Complications of the foreign bodies are well recognized to be a cause of obstruction, bleeding and perforation 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 complaining the symptoms. This paper reports a 31-year-old severe handicapped man suffering from foreign bodies in the esophagus and the small intestine, and was successful removed by endoscope.