Doctors Remove Staple Pin Package From Infant's Esophagus After Prolonged Breathing Issues

A six-month-old infant was admitted to Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital after suffering from persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and vomiting for about six weeks. Despite multiple medical visits and treatments including inhalations and medications, the infant's condition did not improve. Upon arrival at the emergency room, an X-ray revealed an unusual foreign object in the esophagus: a package of staple pins. Some pins were connected, while others were embedded in the esophageal wall, causing local injury, swelling, inflammation, and infection, with concerns that the pins might have reached the airways.

Due to the severity, the infant was urgently taken to surgery where a multidisciplinary team from pediatric gastroenterology, ENT, pulmonology, and anesthesia conducted a complex procedure lasting about 90 minutes to carefully remove the pins one by one. Post-operation, the infant received antibiotics, steroids, acid-reducing medications, and was fed through a feeding tube to allow esophageal recovery.

Dr. Hani Oliveston, head of the pediatric gastroenterology unit at the hospital, emphasized that since infants cannot communicate swallowing foreign objects, such items can cause prolonged symptoms. She urged parents to seek continued medical evaluation when symptoms persist beyond expected recovery times.