Successful treatment through single-port laparoscopy of a gastrojejunal fistula caused by an accidentally ingested toothpick

We report the case of a 46-year-old man who visited the emergency department with a 3-day history of dysuria, left upper abdominal pain, left flank soreness, and high fever. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the left upper abdominal quadrant and left costovertebral angle. Abdominal computed tomography and gastroduodenoscopy were inconclusive for gastrojejunal fistula with regional peritonitis caused by an ingested toothpick. A 7-cm toothpick was successfully removed through single-port laparoscopy. Toothpick ingestion is a medical emergency because it can lead to acute abdomen and gut perforation. Single-port laparoscopy is a minimally invasive strategy for treating this condition.

Source: Formosan Journal of Surgery - October 14, 2016 Category: Surgery Source Type: research