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Cocaine 'body packers'

N E Beck1, J E Hale

  • 1Department of Surgery, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, UK.

The British Journal of Surgery
|December 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intracorporeal drug smuggling, especially cocaine, is rising, posing clinical challenges. This review discusses diagnostic methods and treatment options for body packers.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic toxicology
  • Emergency medicine
  • Clinical toxicology

Background:

  • Intracorporeal drug smuggling, particularly cocaine, is a growing global concern.
  • Body packers, individuals smuggling drugs internally, present unique and complex clinical management challenges.
  • A lack of standardized management protocols complicates the treatment of body packers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and discuss current diagnostic modalities for identifying intracorporeal drug smuggling.
  • To present and analyze available treatment strategies for managing body packers.
  • To highlight the clinical difficulties associated with body packer cases and inform management policies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of diagnostic techniques for body packers.

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  • Analysis of treatment options, including conservative and surgical interventions.
  • Discussion of clinical case presentations and management outcomes.

    • Main Results:

    • Radiological imaging (X-ray, CT) is crucial for diagnosis.
    • Management strategies vary based on drug type, quantity, and patient condition.
    • Complications can arise from package rupture or drug toxicity.

    Conclusions:

    • Early diagnosis and appropriate management are vital for body packer cases.
    • A multidisciplinary approach involving emergency medicine, surgery, and toxicology is recommended.
    • Further research is needed to establish evidence-based management guidelines.