Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Accidental finding of a toothpick in the porta hepatis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report

Authors: Waleed Al-Khyatt, Farhan Rashid, Syed Y Iftikhar

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Unintentional ingestion of a toothpick is not an uncommon event. Often the ingested toothpicks spontaneously pass through the gut without sequelae. However, serious complications can happen when these sharp objects migrate through the gastrointestinal wall.

Case presentation

In the current report, we describe the case of a 37-year-old Caucasian woman with an incidental finding of a toothpick in the porta hepatis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gall stones.

Conclusion

Toothpick ingestion is not an uncommon event and can predispose patients to serious complications. In this particular case, the toothpick was only discovered at the time of unrelated surgery. Therefore, it was important during surgery to exclude any related or missed injury to the adjacent structures by this sharp object.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Rashid F, Davies L, Iftikhar SY: Magnetised intragastric foreign body collection and autism: an advice for carers and literature review. Autism. 2010, 14: 139-145. 10.1177/1362361309356858.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Li SF, Ender K: Toothpick injury mimicking renal colic: case report and systematic review. J Emerg Med. 2002, 23: 35-38. 10.1016/S0736-4679(02)00458-4.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Zezos P, Oikonomou A, Souftas V, Gkotsis D, Pitiakoudis M, Kouklakis G: Endoscopic removal of a toothpick perforating the sigmoid colon and causing chronic abdominal pain: a case report. Cases J. 2009, 2: 8469-10.4076/1757-1626-2-8469.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
Tonkic A, Kulic D, Peric M, Tonkic M, Bogdanovic Z: Bacteremia caused by a swallowed toothpick impacted in the gastric mucosa. Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2011, 5: 227-231. 10.1159/000327974.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
5.
Goh BK, Chow PK, Quah HM, Ong HS, Eu KW, Ooi LL, Wong WK: Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract secondary to ingestion of foreign bodies. World J Surg. 2006, 30: 372-377. 10.1007/s00268-005-0490-2.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Nigri GR, Di Giulio E, Di Nardo R, Pezzoli F, D'Angelo F, Aurello P, Ravaioli M, Ramacciato G: Duodenal perforation and right hydronephrosis due to toothpick ingestion. J Emerg Med. 2008, 34: 55-57. 10.1016/j.jemermed.2006.11.014.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Matsubara M, Hirasaki S, Suzuki S: Gastric penetration by an ingested toothpick successfully managed with computed tomography and endoscopy. Intern Med. 2007, 46: 971-974. 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.0037.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Liu HJ, Liang CH, Huang B, Xie SF, Wang GY: Migration of a swallowed toothpick into the liver: the value of multiplanar CT. Br J Radiol. 2009, 82: e79-e81. 10.1259/bjr/29342394.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Chiang TH, Liu KL, Lee YC, Chiu HM, Lin JT, Wang HP: Sonographic diagnosis of a toothpick traversing the duodenum and penetrating into the liver. J Clin Ultrasound. 2006, 34: 237-240. 10.1002/jcu.20200.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Rioux M, Langis P: Sonographic detection of clinically unsuspected swallowed toothpicks and their gastrointestinal complications. J Clin Ultrasound. 1994, 22: 483-490. 10.1002/jcu.1870220805.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Porcu A, Dessanti A, Feo CF, Dettori G: Asymptomatic gastric perforation by a toothpick. A case report. Dig Surg. 1999, 16: 437-438. 10.1159/000018763.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Saccà N, Rodino' S, D'Amico T, Fragomeni A, Sebkova L, Giglio A: An unintentional ingestion of a toothpick: a case report. Dig Liver Dis. 2005, 37: 983-984. 10.1016/j.dld.2005.08.006.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Accidental finding of a toothpick in the porta hepatis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report
Authors
Waleed Al-Khyatt
Farhan Rashid
Syed Y Iftikhar
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-421

Other articles of this Issue 1/2011

Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011 Go to the issue

Case report

Fish bone foreign body presenting with an acute fulminating retropharyngeal abscess in a resource-challenged center: a case report

Case report

A rare midbrain infarction presenting with plus-minus lid syndrome with ataxia: a case report

Case report

Sheehan's syndrome with pancytopenia: a case report and review of the literature

Case report

Self-induced Elizabethkingia meningoseptica endophthalmitis: a case report

Case report

Paget's disease of the breast in a male with lymphomatoid papulosis: a case report

Case report

Retained drains causing a bronchoperitoneal fistula: a case report