Print this page Email this page
Users Online: 27530
Home About us Editorial board Search Ahead of print Current issue Archives Submit article Instructions Subscribe Contacts Login 


 
 Table of Contents  
CASE REPORT
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 111-113

Anorectal impaction of fish hook following ingestion in a mentally unstable adult


1 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
2 Department of Radiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
3 Department of Surgery, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Date of Web Publication16-Oct-2014

Correspondence Address:
Paingha J Alagoa
Department of Surgery, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State
Nigeria
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2278-9596.143090

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

Ingestion of foreign body (FB) is known to occur in both children and adults. In adults, it is mainly accidental, although it may be intentional in the mentally unstable. Various objects have been swallowed by such individuals. We recently managed a 28-year-old schizophrenic who presented to us with an impacted fish hook in the rectum which he had swallowed. The fish hook which was protruding was removed under local anesthesia. This case highlights the fact that all sorts of bizarre objects may be ingested by the mentally unstable. Careful examination and investigation is usually followed by successful outcome of treatment

Keywords: FB ingestion, fish hook impaction, schizophrenic adult


How to cite this article:
Alagoa PJ, Agi C, Oseh J. Anorectal impaction of fish hook following ingestion in a mentally unstable adult . Arch Int Surg 2014;4:111-3

How to cite this URL:
Alagoa PJ, Agi C, Oseh J. Anorectal impaction of fish hook following ingestion in a mentally unstable adult . Arch Int Surg [serial online] 2014 [cited 2024 Mar 29];4:111-3. Available from: https://www.archintsurg.org/text.asp?2014/4/2/111/143090


  Introduction Top


Intentional ingestion of foreign bodies in adults is not usual. It is mostly encountered in children who may swallow toys and other play items. [1] Most cases of foreign body ingestion in adults are accidental except in prisoners and the mentally insane in which bizarre objects are involved. [2]

Most ingested foreign bodies which are able to pass through the esophagus would eventually go through the gastrointestinal tract and are passed out per rectum without serious consequences. [3] However, some have resulted in serious complications including impaction and perforation in certain portions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Herein, we report a bizarre case of ingestion of a fish hook by a mentally unstable adult who we managed. The patient presented with an impaction of the fish hook in the rectum.


  Case Report Top


Mr. AA, a 28-year-old unemployed male schizophrenic was referred to the surgical out- patient clinic from the Psychiatric unit with a one-day history of anal pain and protrusion of a fish hook through the anus. He was an old patient of theirs who was diagnosed as a schizophrenic 3 years ago and was apparently stable on medications. Before this visit to hospital, he had been lost for follow-upvisits for about 4 months. He was said to have been in the process of defecation when he developed a sudden sharp pain in his anus and felt a metallic object protruding from the anal verge. He admitted swallowing a fish hook intentionally some days earlier. He had first anchored the sharp point of the hook to a small piece of bamboo before swallowing with warm water. He could not explain the reasons for his actions. He also denied suicide as a possible reason. He did not notice any pain or discomfort after ingesting the fish hook until that morning when on defecation, he noticed slight blood along with the stool.

On examination, we found a young man in a poor hygienic state, he was calm and co-operative. Rectal examination revealed peri-anal induration with slight mucosal protrusion with an impacted metallic shank and eye of a fish hook protruding from the anus at 11 o'clock [Figure 1]. Local anesthesia was administered and the fish hook was manually manipulated and removed [Figure 2]. He was observed on the ward for 2 days. Plain abdominal X-ray did not reveal any other foreign body. Patient was sent home on saline sitz baths, oral antibiotics and analgesics. He has done well with complete resolution of anal pain and swelling.
Figure 1: The fish hook

Click here to view
Figure 2: Patient with object protruding from anus

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


Ingestion of foreign body by humans is fairly common affecting several thousand with an estimated annual mortality of over 1,500. [4] Both adults and children are involved in this act. Generally, different groups of people have been known to swallow foreign bodies intentionally. These include children, patients with mental illness and intellectual impairment, 'drug- mules' who traffic hard drugs and those with trichobezoar. [1],[2],[5],[6]

Children account for over three quarters of patients with foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. [4] Any foreign body which can pass through the pharynx can be swallowed hence children have swallowed coins, small toys, parts of pencils, batteries, needles, hair pins among others. A study showed coins to be the most common foreign body ingested by children. [4] Food related objects are also ingested like fish and chicken bone. Most objects will pass through the gastrointestinal tract and get expelled in the feces. It is in fact estimated that 80-90% of foreign bodies reaching the stomach would eventually be passed out. [3]

In adults, accidental ingestion of dentures or parts of it is common. [7] Most cases of foreign body ingestion in adults are accidental. Our patient was a known schizophrenic on treatment. It was reported in a study that about 22.9% of adults who have intentionally swallowed foreign bodies had a history of psychosis. [8] Objects swallowed include razor blades, screws, bolts, coins and even bullets. [9] Such bizarre objects are similar to the fish hook swallowed by our patient. There is apparently no pattern as to the type of objects ingested. It is agreed that the state of delusion and hallucinations are major contributory factors. Our patient did not reveal to anyone that he had ingested a fish hook until the pain from the impaction became unbearable.

Most foreign bodies in the cricopharynx and upper oesophagus can be removed endoscopically. However, foreign bodies which eventually reach the stomach are monitored with serial abdominal X-rays, if radio-opaque or for the development of symptoms since it is known that 80% of them would be passed out eventually. [3] A small number may develop complications and may therefore require surgical intervention.It should also be noted that certain persons introduce foreign bodies through the rectum also as part of sexual gratification. This was found to be more common in men, particularly between the ages of 30 and 40 years. [10],[11] Such practice has not been reported in literature in Nigeria and our patient also persistently denied anal introduction of the fish hook.


  Conclusion Top


This case further reveals the challenges of caring for the mentally ill. The bizarre and un-predictableness of the types of foreign bodies that can be ingested is also highlighted. There must therefore be a high index of suspicion when managing a schizophrenic who presents with possible signs of complications of foreign body ingestion.

 
  References Top

1.
Hurtado CW, Furuta GT, Kramer RE. Etiology of esophageal food impactions in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2011;52:43-6.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Web WA. Management of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract: Update. Gastrointest Endosc 1995;41:39-51.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Lin CH, Chen AC, Tsai JD, Wei SH, Hsueh KC, Lin WC. Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in children. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2007;23:447-52.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Alrazzak BA, Al-Subu A, Elitsur Y. Etiology and management of esophageal impaction in children: A review of 11 years. Avicenna J Med 2013;3:33-6.  Back to cited text no. 4
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
5.
Silverberg D, Menes T, Kim U. Surgery for 'body packers' - A 15-year experience. World J Surg 2006;30:541-6.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Andrus CH, Ponsky JL. Bezoars: Classification, pathophysiology, and treatment. Am J Gastroenterol 1988;83:476-8.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Arana A, Hauser B, Hachimi-Idrissi S, Vandenplas Y. Management of ingested foreign bodies in childhood and review of literature. Eur J Pediatr 2001;160:468-72.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Wu WT, Chiu CT, Kuo CJ, Lin CJ, Chu YY, Tsou YK, et al. Endoscopic management of suspected foreign body in adults. Dis Esophagus 2011;24:131-7.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Velitchkov NG, Grigorov GI, Losanoff JE, Kjossev KT. Ingestion of foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract: A retrospective analysis of 542 cases. World J Surg 1996;20:1001-5.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Soong CV, Harvey C, Doherty M. Self- mutilating behaviour and deliberate ingestion of foreign bodies. Ulster Med J 1990;59:213-6.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Ooi BS, Ho YH, Eu KW, Nyam D, Leong A, Seow-Choen F. Management of anorectal foreign bodies: A cause of obscure anal pain. Aust N Z J Surg 1998;68:852-5.  Back to cited text no. 11
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
Access Statistics
Email Alert *
Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Case Report
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed5731    
    Printed226    
    Emailed2    
    PDF Downloaded263    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal