# ‘Bit’ off more than he could chew: asymptomatic foreign body in the appendix

## TL;DR

A 69-year-old man accidentally swallowed a diamond-tipped drill bit during a dental procedure, which ended up in his appendix but was safely passed without surgery.

## Contribution

This case demonstrates the effectiveness of non-surgical management for asymptomatic foreign bodies in the appendix.

## Key findings

- The drill bit was successfully passed naturally without requiring surgical intervention.
- The patient remained asymptomatic throughout the clinical course.
- Noninvasive monitoring and management proved effective for appendiceal foreign body removal.

## Abstract

This report details the case of a 69-year-old male who had presented to the emergency department at the suggestion of his dentist after ingesting a diamond-tipped drill bit during a routine dental procedure. Through the use of radiograph, computed tomography, and colonoscopy, the drill bit was determined to be lodged in the distal vermiform appendix. Throughout his clinical course, the patient remained asymptomatic but was monitored closely for signs of complications of a retained foreign body in the appendix. Gastroenterology and general surgery were consulted on the case but ultimately non-surgical approaches prevailed and the drill bit passed in the stool. This patient’s case highlights the success of noninvasive measures for appendiceal foreign body removal.