Hudson-Ewald 120mm Dressing Forceps — Paediatric Endoscopy

Hudson-Ewald 120mm — Paediatric Endoscopy Variant

The 120mm Hudson-Ewald is the paediatric-rigid-endoscopy variant — shorter shaft for the smaller anatomic dimensions of paediatric oesophagus and stomach, and the smaller mouth opening that limits rigid-endoscope advance distance. Paediatric rigid endoscopy has narrowed to specific indications: button-battery extraction from oesophagus (a true emergency), coin extraction, and specific foreign-body retrieval where flexible-endoscopy techniques fail.

The button-battery emergency

Ingested button batteries (typically lithium coin cells from hearing aids, toys, or remote controls) lodge in the paediatric oesophagus and produce alkali-burn injury to the oesophageal mucosa within 2 hours. The injury progresses to perforation within 8-12 hours if the battery is not removed. Extraction is a true paediatric emergency, and rigid-endoscopic removal with the 120mm Hudson-Ewald is one of the techniques used when flexible-endoscope grasping fails. The forceps provides the grip strength that the smooth slippery battery edge demands.

The procedural context

Button-battery extraction is typically performed under general anaesthesia by a combined paediatric ENT and gastroenterology team; the operating room is set up with both rigid and flexible endoscopy ready. The 120mm Hudson-Ewald belongs in the rigid-equipment tray for this emergency.