A large accumulation of metallic foreign bodies in the stomach.

A routine x-ray examination showed a fishhook lodged in the esophagus of an asymptomatic 68-year-old man. Further examination revealed multiple foreign objects in his stomach. In all, 82 metallic objects were removed endoscopically. The authors believe that this is the largest accumulation of foreign objects to be removed by this procedure and that endoscopy, properly performed, is a safe and effective alternative to laparotomy. However, surgery remains a safer procedure in some situations.