Toothpick ingestion (TPI) is a rare event, but can cause intestinal perforation (IP), peritonitis, sepsis, and even death (approximately 157 cases have been published worldwide). This fact determines the need for surgical intervention in most of these patients. The aim of this manuscript was to report the results of the surgical treatment in 3 cases of IP by TPI. The report involves the following: Case 1: A 52-year-old man, with duodenal and gallbladder perforation. Case 2: A 54-year-old woman with cecal perforation. Case 3: A 72-year-old man, with perforation of the left colon and splenic rupture. All were hospitalized for ab- dominal pain and fever. In two of the cases the diagnosis was verified by tomography and in one by ultrasound. All three patients underwent laparotomy. In the first case (1), cholecystectomy and duodenal suture were performed; in the second case (2) right hemicolectomy and ileo-transverse anastomosis were performed, and in the third case (3), Left hemicolectomy and splenectomy were performed. Toothpick was found in all cases. The patients in this report all evolved satisfactorily without postoperative complications. In conclusion, TPI is a surgical emergency. IP are common and the associated peritonitis is high. Prognosis depends on early diagnosis and timely treatment.
KEY WORDS: Intestinal Perforation[Mesh]; Intesti- nal Perforation/etiology[Mesh]; Toothpicks; Intestinal Perforation/surgery[Mesh]
MANTEROLA, C. Results of surgical treatment of intestinal perforation caused by toothpick ingestion. Contribution of 3 ca- ses. Int. J. Morphol., 38(5):1212-1216, 2020.
