Removing 216 sharp metal foreign objects from the digestive tract of a 30-year-old male: case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Foreign body (FB) ingestion and its complications are abundant in emergency departments. This potentially severe problem had a peak incidence in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Intentional adult cases are voluntary and more common in prisoners and people with psychiatric problems. However, most patients (90%) remain asymptomatic, and these pass through the body spontaneously. Case presentation: The authors report a case of surgically removing plenteous sharp-pointed metallic foreign bodies ingested by a young male deaf-mute bipolar schizoaffective patient from his stomach, intestine, and rectum. Furthermore, the authors have reviewed the available literature for similar cases. Clinical discussion: Less than 1% of patients need surgical removal, 10–20% need to be taken out endoscopically, and the remaining pass spontaneously. Plain radiography is the most available imaging modality detecting the number, material, and estimated place of the alimentary canal trapped. Conclusion: For the risk of perforation, migration, and peritonitis, surgery is indicated in such situations.