Three Cases of Surgically Removed Foreign Bodies from Gastrointestinal Tract of Psychotic Patients

Abstract

Three cases of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract of the patients with psychosis are reported. Case 1: A 46-year-old female schizophrenic who swallowed 12 small batteries for a suicidal purpose was admitted. Case 2: A 34-year-old woman with epilepsy and mental retardation who swallowed a hair pin and a needle for a suicidal purpose was admitted. Case 3: A 36-year-old man with epilepsy and mental retardation who was admitted for abdominal fullness and pain, and was operated on for small intestinal obstruction due to swallowing a rubber globe and vinyl sheet was diagnosed as having pica from his past history. All three patients have been discharged with no problems. A patient such a psychostic background often shows vague clinical symptoms and is considered to need close examination and contact by the family when an operation is indicated.