'Bit' off more than he could chew: asymptomatic foreign body in the appendix

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Case Reports
• Surgical Case Reports

Background:

• Ingestion of foreign bodies, while uncommon, can lead to significant gastrointestinal complications.
• Appendiceal foreign bodies are rare and may present asymptomatically or with acute symptoms.

Observation:

• A 69-year-old male presented after accidentally swallowing a diamond-tipped dental drill bit during a procedure.
• Radiography, computed tomography (CT), and colonoscopy confirmed the drill bit's location in the distal vermiform appendix.
• The patient remained asymptomatic throughout the observation period.

Findings:

• Despite consultation with gastroenterology and general surgery, a non-surgical approach was chosen.
• The patient was closely monitored for any signs of appendiceal complication.
• The foreign body, a dental drill bit, was successfully passed in the stool without intervention.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for successful non-surgical management of incidentally ingested appendiceal foreign bodies.
• Conservative, non-invasive monitoring may be a viable strategy in select asymptomatic patients.
• It highlights the importance of considering less invasive options before surgical intervention for retained gastrointestinal foreign bodies.