Unusual case of oesophageal perforation by a toothpick and successfull endoscopic treatment

Abstract Text A 38 years old lady was referred to our hospital due to inadvertent swallowing and penetration of oesophageal wall by a toothpick. Patient experienced mild chest pain and difficulty in swallowing, but no mediastinal free air or fluid was noted in the CT scan. She underwent a gastroscopy intubated in the theatre room, where a toothpick had penetrated the upper oesophageal wall. It was removed with a rat-tooth forcep and the remaining gap was successfully sealed with two endoclips. Post procedural course was uneventful and patient discharged 4 days later. Cases of inadvertent swallow and oesophageal perforation by toothpicks are rare and if non timely diagnosed and treated could be lethal [1] [2] [3].

Conflicts of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.

• 1 Unusual case of a fatal upper esophageal trauma caused by a toothpick. César Lares Dos Santos et al , J Forensic Leg Med. 2019; 62: 82-86.
• 2 Accidentally ingested toothpicks causing severe gastrointestinal injury: a practical guideline for diagnosis and therapy based on 136 case reports. Steinbach et al. World J Surg: 38: 371–377
• 3 Unusual cause for dysphagia: perforation of the proximal esophagus by a toothpick. Schäfer C et al. Endoscopy 2008; 40: E217-E218

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023