Gastric Foreign Bodies

Question 1

What is a gastric Foreign Body?

Answer 1

“A gastric foreign body is any ingested foreign object that becomes lodged in the stomach and is unable to be digested”

Question 2

Clinical Signs

Answer 2

vomiting, which can be intermittent, inappetence, lethargy, abdominal pain, and depression

Question 3

Patient Prep

Answer 3

A large area around the ventral midline is clipped, usually from the xiphoid to the pubis is sufficient, and with a wide area clipped on either side of the proposed incision site. The site is then prepared aseptically.

Question 4

Patient Positioning

Answer 4

The patient is placed in dorsal recumbency with the forelimbs and hind limbs secured with leg ties.

Question 5

Instruments / Materials

Answer 5

Two sterile instrument kits are required. A Balfour or Gosset retractor, laparotomy sponge’s lavage solution, and a suction apparatus are needed.

Question 6

Post op

Answer 6

If the patient is vomiting post-operatively, food should be with-held and intravenous fluid therapy should be continued. Antiemetics should be considered. Once the vomiting has ceased a bland diet can be introduced. The prognosis for this procedure is usually very good, if the foreign body did not perforate the stomach