A man experienced intense pain after unintentionally swallowing a toothpick while sleeping. He sought medical attention at A&E due to severe abdominal discomfort, unsure of the cause. The pain, concentrated in the lower abdomen, worsened after his evening meal, which included chicken.
Initially puzzled, doctors conducted a CT scan revealing a 3.7cm “structure” in his abdomen, initially assumed to be a bone from his meal. Following an emergency laparoscopy, they discovered a wooden toothpick that had pierced his bowel.
The medical team successfully removed the toothpick, sealed the area with surgifoam to control bleeding, and confirmed no further damage. The man admitted to sleeping with a toothpick in his mouth before the symptoms began, for reasons unknown.
Treated in Saudi Arabia, the man was discharged in stable condition three days post-surgery. His case highlighted the dangers of ingesting foreign objects, with a mortality rate of nearly 10% in similar incidents.
In a separate incident, doctors in Indonesia were astonished when a 54-year-old arrived at the hospital with tweezers lodged in his penis. Despite the discomfort, he could still urinate. Following a physical examination, medics performed an extraction under anaesthesia, including making an incision to facilitate removal.
A medical report emphasized the risks of self-harm associated with inserting foreign objects in the urethra, underscoring the importance of prompt treatment to prevent complications.