Jejunal perforation by swallowed ibuprofen caplet

Abstract

We present a case of jejunal perforation caused by an unusual foreign body, an ibuprofen caplet in its blister packing believed to be the first of its kind, perforation of the intestine caused by an ingested medication. The patient eventually developed an enterocutaneous fistula through the weak wall of a preexisting incisional hernia.The patient had laparotomy, extraction of the foreign body and closure of the perforation. He had an uneventful recovery. The case highlights the difficulty of making an accurate preoperative diagnosis of foreign body perforation of the intestine. The clinical features were nonspecific compared with other causes of acute abdomen. More sophisticated investigations that could be useful in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis were discussed.

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol.16(1) 2006: 22-24