Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Laparosopic Removal of Swallowed Toothbrush in an Adolescent

Abstract

Barila Patricia, Molino Jose Andres*, Guillén Gabriela, Pascual Montserrat and Lopez Manuel

The ingestion of a foreign body is a frequent cause of gastrointestinal emergency in pediatric population. Toothbrush swallowing is a rare event. Foreign bodies greater than 6-10 cm length are unable to negotiate the curvature of the duodenum with its fixed retroperitoneal attachment. Therefore, spontaneous passage of a toothbrush is unlikely and its removal via endoscopy is highly recommended. When the ingested object is a toothbrush, eating disorders as bulimia or other psychiatric disorders should be suspected. We present a case of a 15-year-old girl who swallowed accidentally a toothbrush that was removed via laparoscopy after unsuccessful endoscopy.