Case Report: Iatrogenic Bowel Perforation Following Dental Procedure.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Innovation
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Abdominal pain is a frequent emergency department complaint with a broad differential diagnosis.
• Foreign body ingestion, particularly from grilled food sources like wire grill brushes, is a known cause of gastrointestinal injury.
• Complications from orthodontic procedures are generally rare and considered benign.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an unusual case of iatrogenic small bowel perforation.
• To highlight a rare complication of orthodontic treatment.
• To emphasize the importance of a comprehensive differential diagnosis in cases of abdominal pain.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 42-year-old male with severe left lower quadrant abdominal pain.
• Diagnostic imaging utilizing computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen.
• Surgical exploration and removal of the foreign body.

Main Results:

• CT scan revealed a metallic foreign body in the abdomen.
• Surgical findings confirmed a 2 cm metal wire perforating the small intestine.
• The foreign body was identified as an orthodontic archwire, despite an uneventful dental visit.

Conclusions:

• Iatrogenic small bowel perforation from an orthodontic archwire is an exceptionally rare event.
• This case underscores the need to consider uncommon etiologies in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.
• The patient experienced a full recovery following surgical intervention.