Fatal choking due to aspiration of roundworm during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract

Ascariasis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world. The route of infection is faeco-oral and most occurs in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation. The most common helminth is Ascaris lumbricoides. In our case a 40-year-old female with ascariasis infection underwent an exploratory laparotomy in consequence of post-operative bleeding following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Post extubation patient suffered cardiac arrest. At autopsy multiple roundworms were found in the oropharynx region, blocking the respiratory passage.