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Cecum and appendix perforation due to inadvertent ingestion of two toothpicks

Bowel perforation due to inadvertent ingestion of foreign objects is, fortunately, a rare event. However, it can lead to deadly complications when it occurs. Thin, sharp and pointed objects like toothpicks are more likely to pierce the bowel wall. Diagnosing toothpick ingestion and perforation is di...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Aguilar Ayala, Bernabé Esteban, Cazares Cadena, Baiter Renán, Molina, Gabriel A, Constante Ruiz, Jonathan Eduardo, Salazar Parada, Juan Fernando, Solórzano García, Onofre Jacinto
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Oxford University Press 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6457067/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30997012
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjz106
Descripción
Sumario:Bowel perforation due to inadvertent ingestion of foreign objects is, fortunately, a rare event. However, it can lead to deadly complications when it occurs. Thin, sharp and pointed objects like toothpicks are more likely to pierce the bowel wall. Diagnosing toothpick ingestion and perforation is difficult since most patients do not recall swallowing the toothpick, symptoms and physical examinations are nonspecific, the symptoms can resemble many abdominal pathologies, and since a toothpick has a radiolucent nature that makes it difficult to detect through X-ray imaging. Due to this, most of the cases are identified during the transoperative period. We present the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with symptoms clinically indistinguishable from acute appendicitis. During surgery, two toothpicks were discovered that compromised the cecum and the appendix. After successful removal of the foreign objects, the patient underwent a full recovery.