Swallowing a piece of glass is a serious medical event that requires immediate attention. The potential for injury depends heavily on the size, shape, and sharpness of the glass shard. While a small, smooth fragment may pass through the digestive system without incident, a large or jagged piece poses a significant risk of internal damage. Seeking professional medical guidance right away is important.
Immediate Steps After Swallowing
Contact emergency medical services or a poison control center immediately for expert advice. Do not attempt to induce vomiting, as this can cause the sharp glass to tear the esophagus or throat. Similarly, do not try to reach into the mouth or throat to remove the object, which could push it further down. If the person is not experiencing difficulty breathing, drooling, or severe pain, they should remain still. Some professionals suggest consuming soft, bulky foods like white bread or bananas to potentially cushion the shard. However, this method should only be done under the direction of a healthcare provider. A rapid medical evaluation is necessary to determine the object’s location and size.
How the Digestive System Manages Foreign Objects
Approximately 80 to 90 percent of swallowed foreign objects pass without complication. Once swallowed, the glass enters the esophagus and then the stomach, following the path of normal food contents. Glass cannot be broken down by the powerful acids and enzymes in the stomach, so it must pass through the entire gastrointestinal tract intact. The stomach and intestines are protected by a thick, resilient layer of mucus, which helps blunt the impact of foreign bodies. Peristalsis, the coordinated muscle contractions that move food, pushes the object forward, often embedded within the cushioning bulk of food. Small, non-jagged fragments typically pass within 24 to 72 hours, but the timeline can extend depending on the object’s characteristics and the individual’s motility.
Recognizing Signs of Internal Damage
Though the majority of objects pass safely, a sharp piece of glass can fail to navigate the delicate lining of the gastrointestinal system, leading to a serious complication. Internal damage, such as perforation or severe bleeding, is signaled by specific symptoms. Severe abdominal pain, especially if localized or worsening, is a sign that the glass may have caused a tear in the stomach or intestinal wall. The presence of blood in the digestive tract is another serious indicator, which may manifest as vomiting bright red blood or coffee-ground material. Blood in the stool can appear as bright red streaks or, if the bleeding is higher up, as black and tarry feces, known as melena. Fever, chills, or a rigid, distended abdomen are signs of an infection like peritonitis, which occurs when intestinal contents leak into the abdominal cavity following a perforation.
Professional Medical Care and Removal
Upon arrival at a medical facility, diagnostic imaging is used to locate the glass shard. An X-ray is commonly used, as glass is generally opaque and visible on the film, though very small fragments may be difficult to detect. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is used for more precise localization and to check for signs of perforation or internal bleeding. If the glass is lodged in the esophagus or stomach, or if it is deemed too large or sharp to pass safely, medical professionals will attempt removal using an endoscopy. This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) through the mouth to visualize and retrieve the object using specialized tools. Endoscopic removal is the standard approach for objects in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Surgical intervention, required in less than one percent of cases, is reserved for situations where the glass has caused a perforation, created an obstruction, or migrated outside the digestive tract.