Laparoscopic surgery for impacted dentures in the descending colon: A case report

TL;DR

A young man required laparoscopic surgery to remove dentures stuck in his colon after they were accidentally swallowed two months earlier.

Contribution

This case highlights laparoscopic surgery as an effective and minimally invasive solution for impacted dentures in the colon.

Findings

Dentures can remain in the digestive tract for extended periods after ingestion.

Laparoscopic surgery successfully removed impacted dentures and repaired a perforation.

Endoscopic retrieval may fail, necessitating surgical intervention.

Abstract

Denture ingestion, commonly seen in older adults, can also occur in younger individuals. Most dentures require intervention as they cannot be excreted naturally. We report a case of a young male undergoing laparoscopic surgery to remove dentures impacted in the descending colon two months post-ingestion.

A 30-year-old male presented with intermittent left lower quadrant abdominal pain for three days. He had accidentally swallowed his dentures two months earlier. Abdominal X-ray showed a radiopaque foreign body in the descending colon. Endoscopic retrieval attempts failed, necessitating urgent surgery. The dentures were removed successfully through laparoscopic surgery, and the perforation was closed using continuous horizontal PDS 4.0 sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day four.

Denture ingestion poses a significant risk due to the nature of the object, often requiring removal as it cannot pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Removable dentures are a known risk factor for such accidents. Diagnosis typically involves abdominal X-rays or CT scans. Endoscopic retrieval is often attempted first but carries a risk of perforation, which may require emergency surgical intervention.

Surgical approaches depend on the location and extent of perforation and the patient's abdominal condition. Early laparoscopic intervention should be considered in cases where surgery is indicated, as it offers a minimally invasive and effective solution.

•The use of removable dentures is a risk factor for involuntary ingestion of dentures.•Dentures can remain in the digestive tract for a long time after ingestion.•Diagnosis relies on abdominal X-rays or computed tomography scans depending on the characteristics of the dentures.•Ingestion of dentures often requires intervention for removal.•Laparoscopic surgery should be chosen in situations where surgical intervention is warranted.

The use of removable dentures is a risk factor for involuntary ingestion of dentures.

Dentures can remain in the digestive tract for a long time after ingestion.

Diagnosis relies on abdominal X-rays or computed tomography scans depending on the characteristics of the dentures.

Ingestion of dentures often requires intervention for removal.

Laparoscopic surgery should be chosen in situations where surgical intervention is warranted.

Figures