Silent perforation of Duodenum due to Swallowed Needles

Abstract

The case of a patient who ingested two large needles and two razors is presented. The two razors were removed from the stomach by endoscopy while one needle caused a perforation of the duodenum and the other remained in the ileocecal area. The diagnosis was made by finding the needle in the same position after repeated plain abdominal roentgenograms, thus indicating that the tip of the needle protruded outside the gastrointestinal tract. Immediately after this diagnosis was made, the patient was operated on and one needle was extirpated from retroperitoneal area of the upper abdomen.