1993 Volume 54 Issue 10 Pages 2588-2591
This paper describes 2 cases of perforation of the stomach due to a fish bone swallowed in fault. Case 1: An 80-year-old man was seen at the hospital because of continuous epigastric pain. There was peritoneal sign. Under a diagnosis of peritonitis, laparotomy was carried out. On the other hand, Retrospective study showed that an abdominal X-ray film, had revealed shadow of a fish bone in the epigastric portion. Three cm of a fish bone penetrating the anterior wall near the incisula aqularis of the stomach was identified at the operation, and multiple white spots on entire intestine were also present. Distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis was performed.Case 2: A 55-year-old man was seen at the hospital because of abrupt development of abdominal pain after one-week lasting epigastric distress and vomiting. Physical examination demonstrated diffuse tenderness in entire the abdomen. Intestinal obstruction and peritonitis were suspected and laparotomy was performed. Small amount of ascites and pus was identified at the operation. A penetrated fish bone from the anterior wall of the stomach stuck in left lobe of the liver was identified. Distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis was performed. It is considered that proper diagnosis may be reached by means of careful history and even plain abdominal rentogenograph.
