Esophageal or Gastric Foreign Body Removal: When to Consider Endoscopy or Surgery

Presentation Description / Summary: This session aims to discuss different techniques to remove oesophageal and gastric foreign bodies. Endoscopic strategies as well as minimally invasive surgery will be described and the decision making to progress from one method to another. Endoscopy is used more widely to remove foreign bodies and the course will give the attendee an overview of a variety of options as different cases might require different approaches for success. As, endoscopy is not always successful, surgery options and in particular minimally invasive surgery will also be discussed. The methods will be described and demonstrated with videos. After this presentation, the attendee will have a broad understanding of different methods available to remove foreign bodies and help achieve success.

Learner Outcomes: 1. Describe different strategies to remove gastric and oesophageal foreign body endoscopically. 2. Determine when an animal should progress to surgery from endoscopy. 3. Describe a minimally invasive option for removal of large gastric foreign bodies.