2023 Volume 48 Issue 2 Pages 89-94
Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports of accidental ingestion of press-through-packages (PTPs). Patients in whom the diagnosis is delayed are reported as being at an increased risk of serious complications, making early diagnosis imperative. In this study, we report on the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical progress of cases of accidental PTP ingestion encountered by us over the past 13 years, along with a review of the literature.
Methods: From January 2010 to January 2022, we encountered 25 cases of accidental ingestion of PTPs.
Results: The cause of the accidental ingestion was disturbance of consciousness due to hepatic encephalopathy in 1 patient, intake of a sleep-inducing drug in 1 patient, and decreased alertness in 23 patients. The median time (range) from onset to diagnosis was 4 hours (1-36 hours). The diagnosis was based on the medical history alone in 6 patients, on plain X-ray examination in 1 patient, and on computed tomography in 18 patients. Twenty-three patients underwent endoscopic resection, and in two patients, the PTP was eliminated spontaneously by fecal excretion or vomiting.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis of accidental ingestion of PTPs at our hospital was associated with a favorable clinical course of the patients.
