Patient who Remained Asymptomatic for Two Years After Swallowing Sewing Needles

Abstract

A 47-year-old woman with developmental disabilities was brought to us with a history of having swallowed a sewing needle a week earlier. She had previously undergone four laparotomies for similar reasons. There were no symptoms or signs of peritonitis. A plain X-ray of the abdomen confirmed the foreign body, and abdominal CT revealed 16 needles in the abdomen. Several of the needles were extra-luminal, but there was no apparent ascites or free air. The patient declined surgical treatment, and was treated conservatively in the hope that the needles would be discharged naturally. No adverse symptoms or signs were evident until the patient was transferred elsewhere for treatment of the intellectual impairment on day 17. Subsequently, she has remained free of signs or symptoms for two years. The number of needles that were confirmed on the abdominal radiographic images has decreased, while the number that had migrated out of the lumen remain fixed. Natural excretion of foreign bodies can take a long time and sewing needles might be relatively less likely to cause intraperitoneal infections. Patients with fixed, inorganic foreign bodies could be conservatively managed if they remain asymptomatic.