The Korean journal of internal medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Journey of a Swallowed Toothbrush to the Colon

  • Kim, In-Hee (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Kim, Hyun-Chul (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Koh, Kang-Hun (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Kim, Seong-Hun (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Kim, Sang-Wook (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Lee, Seung-Ok (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Lee, Soo-Teik (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School)
  • Published : 20070600
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Abstract

Toothbrush swallowing is a rare event. Because no cases of spontaneous passage have been reported, prompt removal is recommended to prevent the development of complications. Most swallowed toothbrushes have been found in the esophagus or the stomach of affected patients, and there has been no previously reported case of a toothbrush in the colon. Here, we report a case of a swallowed toothbrush found in the ascending colon that caused a fistula between the right colon and the liver, with a complicating small hepatic abscess. This patient was successfully managed using exploratory laparotomy. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a swallowed toothbrush found in the colon.

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References

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