Managing Multiple Foreign Body Ingestion: A Clinical Case and Surgical Approach

Abstract

A 23-year-old male with a history of alcoholism and psychotropic drug use was admitted after ingesting multiple foreign bodies, including batteries and glass shards, as part of a self-harm attempt. He presented with diffuse abdominal pain, primarily localized in the epigastric and periumbilical regions, accompanied by rectal bleeding. A CT scan revealed hyperdense foreign bodies located in the ileocecal region and colonic framework. An additional foreign body (a needle) was found intraoperatively in the extradigestive area. Given the associated risks, including chemical burns, intestinal perforations, and systemic toxicity, urgent surgical intervention was performed. A median laparotomy successfully removed multiple foreign bodies, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. This case underscores the importance of swift intervention and vigilant postoperative follow-up, including psychological evaluation, to prevent severe complications after the ingestion of foreign bodies.