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01-07-2005 | Original

Prognosis of cocaine body-packers

Authors: Nicolas de Prost, Aurélie Lefebvre, Frank Questel, Nicolas Roche, Jean-Louis Pourriat, Gérard Huchon, Antoine Rabbat

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 7/2005

Abstract

Objective

To study the prognosis and complications of cocaine body-packing (concealment of cocaine in the body for transportation between countries).

Design

We retrospectively reviewed the files of all cocaine body-packers hospitalized during a 4-year period in a medico-judiciary emergency unit. Subjects included in the survey were identified from the hospital databases using ICD-10 codes.

Setting

The Medico-Judiciary Emergency Unit of Hôtel-Dieu university hospital in Paris is a unique medical and surgical emergency unit receiving all patients in legal custody arrested at the two Paris international airports and suspected of body-packing.

Patients

All the cases of cocaine body-packers (n=581) hospitalized between January 1999 and December 2002 were studied. They had been arrested at Paris airports while arriving from drug-producing countries.

Results

The mean number of carried packets was 70.0±20.4 (range 18–150). The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.0±1.6 days (range 1–18). No complication occurred in 573 body-packers cases. Eight subjects developed a complication requiring admission to an intensive care unit: six acute cocaine intoxications due to packet rupture and two intestinal occlusions. No one died. Surgical treatment was necessary in six cases.

Conclusions

Good prognosis observed in these body-packers cases is due to the careful monitoring of asymptomatic patients, allowing early detection and treatment of complications. Surgical removal of the packets when complication occurs is warranted.

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Title: Prognosis of cocaine body-packers
Authors: Nicolas de Prost
Aurélie Lefebvre
Frank Questel
Nicolas Roche
Jean-Louis Pourriat
Gérard Huchon
Antoine Rabbat
Publication date: 01-07-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 7/2005
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-2660-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prognosis of cocaine body-packers

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients

Results

Conclusions

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