Laparoscopic treatment of right colic flexure perforation by an ingested wooden toothpick

Exploring the uncommon: A case report on localized peritonitis caused by ingested toothpick

INTRODUCTION

Bowel perforation is a serious emergency. Occasionally, sharp objects like toothpicks can get stuck in narrow parts of the small intestine, potentially resulting in impaction, obstruction, or perforation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 20-year-old male arrived at our hospital's emergency department with sudden, severe abdominal pain persisting for 24 h. On examination, his abdomen showed tenderness, and bowel sounds were reduced. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) indicated possible small intestine inflammation due to a foreign object and a diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a hyperemic terminal ileum.

DISCUSSION

This case involves ileal perforation from an unnoticed toothpick ingestion. Detecting foreign object perforations is challenging, often leading to misdiagnoses and CT scans are the most effective for toothpick detection. Definitive diagnosis is through laparoscopy, and treatment varies between laparoscopic suturing to intestinal resection.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers must consider toothpick ingestion in cases of acute abdominal symptoms to avert treatment delays and potential life-threatening outcomes.

Accidentally ingested wooden toothpick, perforation of a sigmoid diverticulum and mimicking acute colonic diverticulitis: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Ingested wooden toothpick (WT) represents a rare cause of acute abdomen. Preoperative diagnosis of ingested WT is a challenge because of its unspecific clinical presentation, the low sensitivity rate of radiological investigations and the patient's inability to often recall the event of swallowing a WT. Surgery represents the main treatment in case of ingested WT-induced complications.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 72-year-old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department with a two-day history of left lower quadrant (LLQ) abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Physical examination revealed LLQ abdominal pain and rebound tenderness with muscle guarding. Laboratory tests reported high levels of C-reactive protein and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed colonic diverticulosis, wall thickening of the sigmoid colon, pericolic abscess, regional fatty infiltration, a suspicion of sigmoid perforation secondary to a foreign body. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy: a sigmoid diverticular perforation caused by an ingested WT was noticed and a laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with end-to-end Knight-Griffen colorectal anastomosis, partial omentectomy and protective loop ileostomy were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The ingestion of a WT represents a rare but potentially fatal condition which may cause GI perforation with peritonitis, abscesses and other rare complications if it migrates out of the GI tract.

CONCLUSION

Ingested WT may cause serious GI injuries with peritonitis, sepsis or death. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. Surgery is mandatory in case of ingested WT-induced GI perforation and peritonitis.