Background
/Aims: Foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal (G-I) tract are produced chiefly by accidental swallowing and rarely produce symptoms. But it is recommended to remove the foreign bodies if they produce symptoms or remain in the G-I tract for a long duration. The purpose of this study was to anlyze the results of therapeutic endoscopic foreign bodies extraction and appropriate removal methods for each foreign bodies. Methods: A clinical review was performed in 19 cases involving a foreign body in the upper & lower G-I tract which underwent the endoscopic extraction of the foreign body at Samsung Medical Center from November 1995 to November 1997. (Kerean J Gastrointest Endosc 18: 651-657, 1998) (continue..)