[Ingestion of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract of children and adolescents].

The diagnosis of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal (G-I) tract can sometimes be difficult. Esophageal foreign bodies are dangerous and should be extracted as soon as possible whereas foreign bodies in the stomach usually pass through the GI-tract without complications. Exceptions are large, sharp or potentially toxic foreign bodies, such as button batteries or magnetic foreign bodies. Extraction by flexible endoscopy with the patient under deep sedation has proven to be effective, relatively minimally invasive and safe. Complications, such as ulcers, fistulas and perforations occur in 13% of patients and are strongly correlated to the localization in the esophagus.