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Gastric perforation secondary to ingestion of a plastic bag

Y M Goh1, I M Shapey1, K Riyad1

  • 1East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust , UK.

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|January 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body ingestion, common in children, usually causes no harm. However, ingesting a plastic bag can lead to gastric perforation, a serious complication often linked to concealed narcotics.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a frequent clinical occurrence, particularly in pediatric patients.
  • Most ingested foreign objects traverse the gastrointestinal tract without complications.
  • Plastic bag ingestion is less common but carries significant risks.

Observation:

  • A case of gastric perforation resulting from the ingestion of a small plastic bag is presented.
  • The perforation occurred despite the small size of the ingested plastic bag.
  • The clinical context suggested potential concealment of illicit substances.

Findings:

  • Plastic bag ingestion can cause gastric perforation, a rare but severe outcome.
  • The pathophysiology may involve chemical irritation or mechanical obstruction leading to tissue compromise.
  • Narcotic concealment is a frequent underlying reason for plastic bag ingestion in certain demographics.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the critical need for vigilance in diagnosing gastrointestinal complications from seemingly innocuous foreign bodies.
  • Awareness of the association between plastic bag ingestion and narcotic concealment is crucial for appropriate patient management.
  • Further research into the specific mechanisms of plastic bag-induced gastrointestinal injury is warranted.

Keywords:
Foreign bodyGastric perforation

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