A SUCCESSFUL ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF A SWALLOWED TOOTHBRUSH: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Most of the foreign bodies that are ingested accidently passes through the gastrointestinal tract without causing any complication. But foreign bodies that are rigid and long have high chances of gastrointestinal complication like perforation, foreign body impaction and bleeding. So, the removal of such foreign bodies is strongly recommended before any of above-mentioned complication develops. This is a case report of a 54-year-old Man who swallowed the toothbrush accidently. The previously reported cases of tooth brush removal was usually in patients with Bulimia and other psychiatric illness. The toothbrush from this Gentleman was removed successfully with the help of flexible endoscopy and polypectomy snare. Removing such long and rigid foreign body is a special challenge. Morbidity and mortality is significantly reduced when such foreign bodies removed urgently. In case of Failure of endoscopic removal, Laparoscopic surgery may be an alternative approach.