Unusual Esophageal Foreign Bodies in a Schizophrenic Patient: A Case Report

Hossein Zabihi Mahmoudabadi; Fatemeh Mohammadi; Maryam Bahreini

doi:10.18502/fem.v5i4.6698

Hossein Zabihi Mahmoudabadi Department of Surgery, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh Mohammadi School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam Bahreini Department of Emergency Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fem.v5i4.6698

Keywords: Esophageal Perforation; Foreign Bodies; Mental Disorders

Abstract

Introduction: The possibility of foreign body ingestion should be considered in psychiatric patients. In some complicated cases, foreign bodies become problematic and require immediate surgical intervention.

Case presentation: A 45-year-old man with schizophrenia swallowed razor blades and pieces of glass resulting in esophageal perforation, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and urgent need for surgery. He was presented in shock state but successfully passed post-operative period in the intensive care unit and surgical ward and was ultimately transferred to the psychiatric ward.

Conclusion: Management of asymptomatic patients depends on the demographic factors of patients as well as the site affected in the gastrointestinal tract.