Abstract
An 80-years-old female who had a history of dementia and depression was admitted to hospital complaining of hematemesis and fever. The CT scan showed foreign bodies in the stomach and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was observed under conservative therapy her general state improved. A gastrofiberscopic examination revealed a large quantity of disposable latex gloves in the stomach, but it was impossible to remove these gloves under the fiberscope. Therefore, these gloves were extracted by laparotomy and a small gastrotomy under general anesthesia. The patient was able to take a meal after 7 days post operation and discharge from hospital. This case suggests that medical materials should not be left lying around the bedside of patients, especially in the case of the psychotic elderly.
