May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Children's Health Child swallows metal hair pin- surgery not recommended by her doctor
Child swallows metal hair pin- surgery not recommended by her doctor |
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Dear Ask The Doctor:I relative of mines, her daughter apparently swallowed a hair pin that is made of metal. She is around 4 years old. And the pin is stuck in her large intestine. Doctors are suggesting that they do not do a surgery to remove it as teh child may loose too much blood and die, so there a risk of death. The question I want to ask is are there any other mehtods of dealing with the removal of this pin. And nay advice on this, like what precautions should be taken. Thanks. Dear Maymunah:There is no need for any surgical intervention at this time. The vast majority of swallowed objects will pass through the intestines and be excreted in the feces. There is no reason to suggest that the same will not happen in this little girl. No special measures should be undertaken. She may have normal diet and her feces monitored for the appearance of the pin. Sequential x-rays may be done to assess the progress of the pin through the intestines. Should she develop severe abdominal pain associated with vomiting, fever or diarrhea, take her to the ER immediately as these are signs that the intestines have been perforated and she will require emergency surgery. This complication very rarely occurs. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 27 August 2010 ) |
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