Six-Month-Old Baby Undergoes Surgery After Swallowing Packet of Staples

A six-month-old baby has undergone a complex surgery to remove a packet of staples swallowed approximately six weeks prior. The infant was admitted to Assuta Ashdod Medical Center after experiencing persistent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, symptoms that did not improve with initial treatments like inhalations and medication. Vomiting also developed, prompting further medical investigation. An X-ray revealed the unusual foreign object lodged in the baby's esophagus, with some staples still connected and others separated, having lodged into the esophageal wall. Given the critical location and the baby's respiratory distress, a multidisciplinary surgical team, including specialists in pediatric gastroenterology, ENT, pulmonology, and anesthesia, performed the hour-and-a-half-long procedure. Some staples had to be carefully removed one by one, including those that had already pierced the esophageal wall. The prolonged presence of the staples caused local damage, swelling, inflammation, and infection. Following the surgery, the baby received antibiotics, acid-reducing medication, steroids, and inhalations. Feeding was initially done via a tube to aid esophageal recovery. Dr. Chani Oliveston, director of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Assuta Ashdod Hospital, emphasized the importance of continued investigation when symptoms persist, especially in infants who cannot communicate their distress. She noted that the staples had caused significant internal damage, but fortunately, all were removed, and the baby's condition is improving.

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The baby arrived at our hospital after a long period of coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing that did not go away despite the treatments he received. In the case of a baby, who cannot explain what happened or whether he swallowed something, it is important to remember that a foreign object can also cause persistent symptoms. In this case, the staples had already caused inflammation, infection, and swelling in the esophagus, and the baby’s respiratory condition was not good. Fortunately, we were able to remove all the staples. The message to parents is simple: when symptoms continue and do not improve as expected, it is important to continue investigating the cause.