Peritonitis with small intestinal perforation caused by a plastic bread bag clip: A case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Case Reports

Background:

• Foreign body ingestion frequently necessitates surgical intervention for perforation or penetration.
• Plastic bread bag clips pose a risk of severe adverse events if ingested.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of peritonitis and small intestinal perforation caused by a plastic bread bag clip.

Main Methods:

• A 47-year-old male presented with abdominal distension and vomiting.
• Computed tomography revealed small intestinal perforation with a radiolucent object in the jejunum.
• Emergency surgery confirmed a plastic bread bag clip as the cause of perforation.

Main Results:

• A plastic bread bag clip was identified as the cause of small intestinal perforation.
• The ingested clip led to peritonitis, requiring surgical treatment.

Conclusions:

• Ingested bread bag clips can cause gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding.
• Their radiolucent nature complicates diagnosis, often requiring patient recall of the incident.
• The unique shape of bread bag clips can hinder endoscopic removal.