Intestinal Perforation by Ingested Foreign Bodies

Seven cases with intestinal perforation by ingested foreign bodies (IFBs) were surgically treated in our hospital between January 2000 and August 2009. We reviewed the preoperative mental conditions, awareness of ingestion, preoperative diagnosis, the type of foreign bodies, perforation site, treatment and morbidity for these patients. The ratio of males to females was 4 : 3, and patient age ranged from 27 years to 85 years. Three of 7 patients had an abnormal mental condition, including neurosis with medication in 1, severe mental retardation in 1 and dementia in 1. Six patients were not aware they had IFBs. Preoperative diagnoses were perforative peritonitis in 6 cases and ileus in 1 case. The ingested objects consisted of fish bones in 4 cases, toothpicks in 2 cases and a press-through package in 1 case. Computed tomography (CT) showed the ingested fish bones in all 4 cases, while plain abdominal radiography demonstrated fish bone in only one of these cases. Toothpicks and a press-through package were not detected on CT or by plain abdominal radiography. The perforation sites were the small intestine in 5 cases and the large intestine (transverse colon) in 2 cases. Treatments were intestinal resection with or without omentectomy in 5 cases, suture alone in 1 case and omentectomy alone in 1 case. Postoperative complications were seen in 2 patients, including hepatic failure and bleeding from gastroesophageal reflux disease in 1 case, and removal and reinsertion of a V-P shunt tube in 1 case. The mortality rate was 0%