Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: Although foreign body injuries are quite common, there are an insufficient number of publications on this matter. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with foreign body injuries, and to determine the treatment algorithm.
Methods: A total of 97 patients were evaluated, including 53 men and 44 women. Ninety-one patients underwent surgery, and six patients were treated conservatively. Surgery was performed in the operating room in all cases. To ensure that the foreign body was removed, fluoroscopic control was completed during and after the procedure. Antibiotics were administered routinely to all patients, and the need for tetanus prophylaxis was evaluated in each patient.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 16.5 (range: 2-58) years. Regarding the type of foreign body, there was injury due to: a needle in 65 patients, glass in 14, wood in 7, iron spit in 1, iron bar in 1, pieces of metal in 3, and other foreign bodies were found in 6 patients. There were 25 injuries of the upper extremity, and 72 of the lower extremity. The time of admission to the hospital after the injury ranged from 1 day to 3 years. Obvious signs of infection were detected in 10 patients. There were no complications after the follow-up of patients who were treated conservatively.
Conclusion: Foreign body penetration is a severe injury that may cause significant problems when ignored. Treatment algorithms prepared according to the type of injury would guide the most appropriate approach to these injuries.