ABSTRACT
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that carries significant morbidity and mortality. There are many weight loss strategies available, yet to this date, none are risk-free. Intragastric balloons have been used for decades as a temporary measure for weight reduction and can be a useful approach for specific patients. Serious complications related to the device remain rare; however, prompt intervention is usually needed when they arise. We present the case of a 38-year-old female patient, she was using an intragastric balloon to treat her obesity. Regretfully, the balloon deflated causing intestinal migration and obstruction. After a successful surgery, the patient completely recovered.
ABSTRACT
Bowel perforation due to inadvertent ingestion of foreign objects is, fortunately, a rare event. However, it can lead to deadly complications when it occurs. Thin, sharp and pointed objects like toothpicks are more likely to pierce the bowel wall. Diagnosing toothpick ingestion and perforation is difficult since most patients do not recall swallowing the toothpick, symptoms and physical examinations are nonspecific, the symptoms can resemble many abdominal pathologies, and since a toothpick has a radiolucent nature that makes it difficult to detect through X-ray imaging. Due to this, most of the cases are identified during the transoperative period. We present the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with symptoms clinically indistinguishable from acute appendicitis. During surgery, two toothpicks were discovered that compromised the cecum and the appendix. After successful removal of the foreign objects, the patient underwent a full recovery.
