# Delayed endoscopic retrieval of a retained toothbrush: a case report of a rare 3-year asymptomatic retention

## TL;DR

A man swallowed a toothbrush three years ago and it was safely removed after causing no major issues, showing how endoscopy can handle rare cases.

## Contribution

This case report presents a rare instance of a toothbrush retained in the stomach for three years and successfully removed endoscopically.

## Key findings

- A 32-year-old man had a toothbrush lodged in his stomach for three years without severe complications.
- The toothbrush was identified and removed via endoscopy after imaging failed to detect it.
- Delayed endoscopic removal was safely performed without causing injury or complications.

## Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is a common clinical issue, but swallowing a full-sized toothbrush is exceptionally rare. We report a case of a 32-year-old Sudanese male with a three-year history of an accidentally ingested toothbrush. The patient presented with mild epigastric pain and intermittent dysphagia but no acute complications. Imaging, including X-ray and computed tomography, failed to identify the foreign body. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a complete toothbrush lodged in the stomach, with its head extending into the duodenum. The object was successfully removed intact using a polypectomy snare under conscious sedation, without mucosal injury or complications. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by radiolucent foreign bodies and underscores the key role of endoscopy in both diagnosis and treatment. It also demonstrates that delayed endoscopic removal can be safely accomplished, though early retrieval remains essential to prevent serious outcomes such as perforation or obstruction.