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Ingestion of a RPE activation key: Why do these accidents still happen?
M C G Pantuzo1, E Nunes2, L R Pires2
1School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500, Prédio 46, Sala 106, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-610, Brazil. marielegarcia@yahoo.com.br.
Aim:
To draw attention and increase professional awareness about the potentially serious complications that may occur when these misfortunes happen and to what actions could be implemented to avoid such accidents.
Methods:
The present case report is of an accidental ingestion of a rapid maxillary expander (RPE) activation key in a cardiac patient and the subsequent diagnostic confirmation with radiographs and the management of this accident thereafter.
Results:
On the third day after the accidental ingestion of the RPE key, the patient's parents reported that the key was expelled in the stools without further complication.
Conclusions:
Ingestion of foreign bodies is a potential complication during orthodontic treatment. These types of accidents may cause serious consequences to the patient, especially if there is a pre-existing systemic condition, such as heart disease or respiratory problems.