Paediatric oesophageal foreign bodies

Abstract Caustic ingestions remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed and developing world. The main thrust of surgical intervention should be education and prevention. Basic pathophysiology, clinical presentation, investigations, and management are outlined. Ingested oesophageal foreign bodies remain a common clinical problem presenting to paediatric surgical departments; these may be isolated events or related to a previous oesophageal problem. Button battery ingestion is an increasing problem and is associated with serious oesophageal damage unless removed promptly. Eosinophilic oesophagitis is an increasing clinical problem and presents to the surgeon usually in an adolescent with a food bolus obstruction.