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Ingested razor blades within the appendix: A rare case report
Jason Cui1, Trent Cross2, David Lockwood2
1General Surgical Department, Caboolture Hospital, Caboolture, QLD, 4510, Australia.
Introduction:
Foreign body ingestion is a common clinical presentation with less than 1% of the cases requiring surgical intervention. In this report, we present a rare case of razor blades lodged in the appendix as a result of intentional ingestion.
Presentation Of Case:
A 25 year old male prisoner presented to our hospital with persistent right iliac fossa pain after razor blade ingestion. After 5 days of conservative management, there was no sign of transition on serial X-Rays. Laparoscopy with intraoperative image intensification confirmed the presence of the razor blades in the appendix and appendicectomy was subsequently performed without complications.
Discussion:
Most ingested objected with diameter less than 2.5 cm and length less than 6 cm can pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously in less than one week. The entry of foreign objects into the appendix is thought to be due to relative low motility of the caecum, the dependent position of the appendix and the size of the appendiceal orifice. Radiographic localisation to the appendiceal lumen was complicated by metallic artefact, but was consistent with failure to transit. Appendicectomy was felt to be the safest mode of retrieval.
Conclusion:
Ingested foreign body lodged in the appendix is a rare event. Once the exact location is confirmed, a simple laparoscopic appendicectomy can be performed to facilitate the removal.
Insights
This case study highlights a rare instance of intentional razor blade ingestion causing appendiceal lodging. Laparoscopic appendectomy proved effective for removal when conservative management failed.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is common, with surgical intervention rarely needed (<1%).
- Intentional ingestion of sharp objects like razor blades presents unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of razor blades lodged in the appendix following intentional ingestion.
- To discuss the diagnostic and management strategies for such rare presentations.
Main Methods:
- A 25-year-old male presented with right iliac fossa pain post-ingestion.
- Conservative management failed; serial X-rays showed no transition.
- Laparoscopy with intraoperative image intensification confirmed appendiceal location, followed by appendectomy.
Main Results:
- Razor blades were successfully located within the appendix via laparoscopy.
- Appendectomy was performed without complications, facilitating foreign body removal.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body lodging in the appendix is infrequent.
- Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective method for removal once the location is confirmed.
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