Indication for endoscopic removal of a swallowed foreign body includes which condition?

• A. The object is sharp or corrosive or causing symptoms
• B. The object is small and in stomach and asymptomatic
• C. The object has reached the colon
• D. The object is radiopaque and under 1 cm

Answer: (A)

Endoscopic removal is reserved for situations where the swallowed object poses a real risk or is causing problems. A sharp object can pierce or perforate the GI tract, a corrosive substance can cause mucosal injury, and any object that produces symptoms such as pain, vomiting, or signs of obstruction needs urgent retrieval.

In contrast, a small object that has reached the stomach and remains asymptomatic is often observed to allow natural passage, and once an object has reached the colon it has typically moved beyond the reach of an endoscope. Being radiopaque and under 1 cm by itself does not mandate endoscopic removal.