A needle in the colon, the risk of ingested foreign objects: a case report

Abstract

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.

Accidental Sewing Pin Ingestion by a Tailor: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Ha et al [ 30 ] reported the case of a 34-year-old tailor who swallowed a sewing needle and, after an unsuccessful colonoscopy, underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy. Another publication by Espin et al [ 31 ] describes the case of a tailor who was diagnosed with colonic perforation after swallowing a needle and was treated surgically with a laparoscopic approach. To our knowledge, this is the first case report found in the literature of an endoscopic retraction of a sewing pin in a patient who is at occupational risk for ingestion—a tailor.…”

Intestine perforation by an accidental ingested SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab; a case report

“…Incidental ingestion of a foreign body is a common problem [3] , and it could be critical and fatal [6] . The majority of cases before 1900 were woman holding pins and needles between their lips, and nowadays it happens mainly among children and adults with psychiatric conditions [3] , [7] . However, it can happen to anyone, as it happened to this patient.…”

“…After ingestion, the characteristics of the object determine whether it can perforate, progress to an obstruction or leave the body without complications. The intestine protects itself from perforation due to intrinsic ability; the mucosa enlarges the bowel wall at the point of contact, which leads to easier pass of the foreign body [3] . Nearly 80 to 90 % of swallowed foreign bodies evacuate via the rectum among healthy patients [9] .…”

“…Ingestion of a foreign body is a common cause of admission to the emergency department [1] , [2] . Although most of foreign bodies transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GI) without complications, intestinal perforation occurs in up to 1 % of cases [1] , [3] . We report the rare case of a 56-year-old man with an extensive surgical medical history, who suffered an intestinal perforation, two weeks after accidental ingestion of a SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab.…”