Swallowing glass can range from a minor incident to a severe medical emergency. The outcome depends on factors like the glass’s size, shape, quantity, and its journey through the digestive system. Small, rounded fragments might pass without incident, but larger or sharper pieces pose a greater risk of internal injury.
Immediate Actions
If glass has been swallowed, do not try to induce vomiting, as this can cause further damage to the esophagus or digestive tract. Instead, remain upright to encourage the glass to move downwards. Contact a medical professional or poison control center immediately for guidance. They can provide specific advice based on the amount and type of glass swallowed.
How the Body Handles Swallowed Glass
When glass is swallowed, it begins a journey through the digestive system. The primary concern is mechanical injury from the glass’s sharp edges. Small, smooth fragments may pass without significant issues, often eliminated within one to two days. However, larger or sharper pieces can cause cuts, lacerations, or punctures along the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
The esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach, is particularly vulnerable to injury or obstruction. If glass becomes lodged here, it can cause severe pain, difficulty swallowing, drooling, or vomiting. If the glass reaches the stomach, the highly acidic environment does not dissolve it. Glass remains intact as it passes through the stomach and into the intestines.
As the glass moves through the small and large intestines, there is a continued risk of irritation, inflammation, or perforation. Perforation, a hole in the intestinal wall, can lead to serious complications like peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal cavity. While the digestive tract has protective mechanisms, such as flexibility and a mucus layer, these may not prevent damage from sharp objects.
Signs Requiring Medical Attention
Recognizing signs of a serious problem after swallowing glass is important for timely medical intervention. Severe or persistent pain in the mouth, throat, chest, or abdomen warrants immediate medical evaluation. Difficulty swallowing, especially if accompanied by drooling or an inability to manage secretions, suggests an obstruction needing urgent attention.
Other alarming symptoms include vomiting, particularly if blood is present, or blood in the stool, which might appear bright red or black and tarry. A fever or chills can signal an infection, such as peritonitis, resulting from a perforation. Bloating or a swollen abdomen, along with tenderness upon touch, may also indicate a perforation. Even if symptoms seem mild, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.
Professional Medical Care
When medical attention is sought for swallowed glass, healthcare professionals begin with a thorough assessment, including a detailed history and physical examination. Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or CT scans, may be used to locate glass fragments within the gastrointestinal tract and assess for potential damage like perforation. These studies help determine the size, shape, and position of the ingested object.
Most ingested foreign objects pass spontaneously; however, 10-20% may require endoscopic intervention. An endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera, can be inserted through the mouth to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. If the glass is accessible and poses a risk, the endoscopist can use specialized tools to grasp and remove the object. This procedure is usually performed under sedation.
Surgical intervention is less common, reserved for cases where endoscopic removal is not possible, or if complications like gastrointestinal perforation or significant bleeding occur. Surgical repair is indicated if a hole develops in the digestive tract. The medical team monitors the patient closely for any signs of complications, ensuring appropriate management and recovery.