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Removing 216 sharp metal foreign objects from the digestive tract of a 30-year-old male: case report
Amin Rezazadeh1, Ali Samady Khanghah1, Siamak Mousazadeh1
1Department of Surgery, Fatemi Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Insights
Most foreign body ingestions pass spontaneously, but sharp metallic objects may require surgical removal. This case highlights the surgical removal of multiple sharp metallic foreign bodies from a young male patient.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Foreign body (FB) ingestion is common in emergency departments, particularly in young children.
- Most ingested foreign bodies (90%) are asymptomatic and pass spontaneously.
- Intentional ingestion occurs in adults, often in specific populations.
Observation:
- A case report details the surgical removal of numerous sharp metallic foreign bodies from the stomach, intestine, and rectum of a young male with bipolar schizoaffective disorder.
- Plain radiography is the primary imaging modality for identifying the number, material, and location of ingested foreign bodies.
Findings:
- Less than 1% of foreign body ingestions require surgical removal.
- Endoscopic removal is necessary for 10-20% of cases.
- The majority of foreign bodies are passed without intervention.
Implications:
- Surgical intervention is indicated for foreign bodies posing a risk of perforation, migration, or peritonitis.
- This case underscores the importance of considering psychiatric conditions in adult foreign body ingestion.
- Radiographic imaging is crucial for diagnosis and management planning.
Introduction And Importance:
Foreign body (FB) ingestion and its complications are abundant in emergency departments. This potentially severe problem had a peak incidence in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Intentional adult cases are voluntary and more common in prisoners and people with psychiatric problems. However, most patients (90%) remain asymptomatic, and these pass through the body spontaneously.
Case Presentation:
The authors report a case of surgically removing plenteous sharp-pointed metallic foreign bodies ingested by a young male deaf-mute bipolar schizoaffective patient from his stomach, intestine, and rectum. Furthermore, the authors have reviewed the available literature for similar cases.
Clinical Discussion:
Less than 1% of patients need surgical removal, 10-20% need to be taken out endoscopically, and the remaining pass spontaneously. Plain radiography is the most available imaging modality detecting the number, material, and estimated place of the alimentary canal trapped.
Conclusion:
For the risk of perforation, migration, and peritonitis, surgery is indicated in such situations.
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