Copyright
©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2008; 14(27): 4410-4412
Published online Jul 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4410
Published online Jul 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4410
Perforation of the duodenum by an ingested toothbrush
Hsiao-Hsiang Chao, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Kweishan, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, China
Tzu-Chieh Chao, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou and Chang Gung University School of Medicine, Kweishan, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: Chao HH wrote the manuscript; Chao TC performed the procedures and revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Tzu-Chieh Chao, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5 Fuhsing Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, China. tcchao@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Telephone: + 886-3-3281200-3219
Fax: +886-3-3285818
Received: April 21, 2008
Revised: June 16, 2008
Accepted: June 23, 2008
Published online: July 21, 2008
Revised: June 16, 2008
Accepted: June 23, 2008
Published online: July 21, 2008
Abstract
We report a rare case of duodenal perforation caused by an ingested 12-cm long toothbrush handle. A 22-year-old female presented with intermittent epigastric pain for 6 d after swallowing a broken toothbrush. The swallowed toothbrush could not be removed from the second portion of the duodenum by endoscopy. Laparotomy revealed a perforation in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. The toothbrush was removed via the perforation which was debrided and closed. There were no postoperative complications.
Keywords: Duodenum; Endoscopy; Laparotomy; Perforation; Toothbrush