Unusual Cause of Acute Abdomen by Foreign Body: Intentional Spoon Ingestion

Abstract

Introduction There is a wide variety of uncommon and unusual gastrointestinal causes of acute abdominal pain in which foreign bodies are included. Case report 30-year-old patient with severe chest and epigastric pain, previous vomiting and loss of consciousness. A thoracic X-ray study revealed a 15-cm-long metallic object located in the esophagus and two more apparently located in the stomach. The patient underwent an emergent laparotomy, a transverse incision was made to the stomach (gastrotomy) at the perforation site, removing 4 metallic soup spoons; then, it was closed primarily. Conclusions Intentional ingestion of foreign large metallic bodies is infrequent but not uncommon. Diagnosis should be suspected primarily in patients with history of psychiatric disorders or substance use. Clinical manifestations may vary according to the site of the gastrointestinal tract perforation. A surgical approach may be the best option due to a large size of the objects, time of clinical presentation and risk of subsequent complications.