COLONOSCOPIC EXTRACTION OF AN ACCIDENTALLY SWALLOWED DENTAL BRIDGE

Aims:

Aim of our case report is to show interesting case of colonoscopic extraction of big foreign body from right colon.

Methods:

Results:

A 81-year-old man attended our clinic presenting with a right lower quadrant abdominal pain. He suggested accidental swallowing of dental bridge across of 8 teeths 2 days ago during his sleep. Laboratory showed mild leukocytosis and elevation of C-reactive protein level. Physical examination was unremarcable. Findings were negative for melena, blood per rectum and change in stool frequency. Plain chest radiography showing the ingested foreign body in projection of proximal jejunum. Besides calculosis of gallbladder without signs of cholecystis the abdominal ultrasonography was inconspicuous. Based on the clinical examination and laboratory findings our surgical team proposed observation every two days with advices about threatening sympthoms. After 3 weeks abdominal X-ray yielded ileo-cecal presentation of teeth bridge with one air-fluid level and without pneumoperitoneum (Figure 1). On the basis of new physical examination a course of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated and patient was referred for colonoscopy, which revealed the extent of colon diverticulosis. Foreign body, a 5-cm long teeth bridge was seen and successfully removed from the cecum using an endoloop (Figure 2). The intervention was completed without any complications.

Conclusions:

Based on the literature of which we are aware, it is rational to attempt endoscopic removal of teeth bridge impacted in the colon in patients without peritoneal findings.