# A Rare Case of Table Fork Ingestion Requiring Laparotomy

## TL;DR

A 22-year-old woman accidentally swallowed a table fork, requiring surgery after endoscopic removal was too risky.

## Contribution

Highlights a rare case where surgical intervention was necessary for foreign body ingestion.

## Key findings

- Endoscopic removal of a large foreign body (fork) was deemed too risky.
- Laparotomy and gastrostomy successfully retrieved the fork without complications.

## Abstract

Foreign body ingestion may occur accidentally or intentionally, particularly among children, elderly individuals, and those with psychiatric conditions. While small objects often pass spontaneously, large or sharp items may require endoscopic or surgical retrieval to prevent complications.

We present the case of a 22-year-old woman who accidentally ingested a table fork while playing with her children. Imaging revealed the fork’s prongs in the esophagus and the handle in the stomach. Endoscopic removal was attempted but aborted due to the size of the fork and the potential risk of esophageal injury. The patient subsequently underwent laparotomy, and the fork was retrieved via gastrostomy without complications.

Surgical removal should be considered when endoscopic retrieval of a foreign body is unsuccessful or carries a high risk, as illustrated in this rare case of table fork ingestion.