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Factitious illness following toenail surgery
1McFarland Clinic, Ames, Iowa 50010, USA.
Summary
A teenager underwent ingrown toenail surgery but feigned a postoperative infection. This factitious disorder led to multiple hospitalizations before diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Study
- Psychiatry
- Podiatric Surgery
Background:
- Ingrown toenails are common, often treated with ablative procedures.
- Factitious disorder involves intentionally producing or feigning physical or psychological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old female presented with an ingrown toenail requiring surgical intervention.
- Following the procedure, the patient reported symptoms suggestive of a postoperative infection.
- The patient had no prior history of neurotic disorders.
Findings:
- The patient's reported infection symptoms were feigned, indicative of factitious disorder.
- The feigned illness was a deliberate attempt to prolong medical care and attention.
- Diagnosis was established after five separate hospitalizations.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering factitious disorder in unexplained or persistent postoperative symptoms.
- Underscores the diagnostic challenges in differentiating genuine illness from feigned conditions.
- Emphasizes the need for comprehensive patient evaluation and multidisciplinary care in complex cases.