Duodenocolic fistula by nail ingestion in a child

J Surg Case Rep. 2020 Aug 24;2020(8):rjaa187. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa187. eCollection 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Unintentional foreign body ingestion is common among children. Normally, these ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously. Only few of them may lead to complications such as fistula, which requires surgical intervention. We are reporting a case of accidental construction nail ingestion in a 3-year-old male child, for 30 days, without any symptoms. Diagnosis of duodenocolic fistula by construction nail was made on clinical examination and abdominal radiography features. He underwent surgical intervention, with nail removal, dudenal and colic primary closure. The follow-up was uneventful. We recommend emergently retrieval of sharp-pointed and long-ingested foreign bodies like a construction nail. Conservative outpatient management by clinical observation is not appropriate for this kind of foreign bodies. It may lead to complications such as perforation and fistula.

Keywords: ascending colon; children; duodenum; fistula; foreign body; nail.

Publication types

  • Case Reports