Open AccessA needle in the colon, the risk of ingested foreign objects: a case report
Author(s) -
Darwin S Espin,
Jorge F Tufiño,
Jaime M Cevallos,
Fernando Zumárraga,
Vanessa E Orozco,
Estefany J Proaño,
Gabriel A Molina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of surgical case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2042-8812
DOI - 10.1093/jscr/rjab455
Subject(s) - medicine , foreign body , foreign bodies , ingestion , perforation , foreign body ingestion , presentation (obstetrics) , surgery , case presentation , emergency department , emergency surgery , general surgery , punching , materials science , psychiatry , metallurgy
Ingestion of foreign bodies is often found in clinical practice; however, intestinal perforation due to ingestion of foreign bodies is rare. Sharp and metallic objects are usually the ones that cause most complications. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult since the clinical presentation is vague and nonspecific presentation can simulate many abdominal pathologies. Patients are rarely aware of foreign body ingestion, and a high index of suspicion is required to make a timely diagnosis. In addition, treatment demands prompt surgery to avoid dangerous complications. We present the case of a 19-year-old tailor; he inadvertently swallowed a needle and presented to the emergency department with a colonic perforation. Surgery was required, and he recovered completely.