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Gastric Obstruction by Opium Packets: A Case Report.
Yeganeh Ramazani1, Ahmad Nemati1, Mohammad Moshiri2,3
1Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Addiction & Health
|August 10, 2023
Summary
A body packer experienced severe gastric obstruction after swallowing 90 opium packets. Urgent surgery was required to remove the packets, highlighting the dangers of internal drug smuggling.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Radiology
Background:
- Body packing, the illicit transport of drugs internally, poses significant health risks.
- Opium smuggling via body packing can lead to critical gastrointestinal complications.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old male presented with acute epigastric pain and signs of obstruction.
- Abdominal X-rays revealed multiple radiopaque opacities consistent with numerous ingested packets and gastric distension.
- Despite self-treatment with laxatives and episodes of vomiting, most packets remained lodged.
Findings:
- An emergency laparotomy was performed, revealing 84 opium packets weighing 870g.
- The packets were multi-layered plastic, measuring 4-6 cm in length and 8-10g each.
- The patient recovered and was discharged in stable condition.
Implications:
- Large quantities of ingested packets can cause severe gastrointestinal obstruction.
- This case underscores the critical need for prompt surgical intervention in suspected body packing cases.
- Radiological imaging, particularly X-rays, is crucial for diagnosing internal packet ingestion.
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