Endoscopic removal of an accidentally swallowed toothbrush

Intern Med. 2008;47(20):1797-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.47.0910. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

A rare case is reported with a large foreign body in the upper gastrointestinal tract. A 19-year-old girl accidentally swallowed her toothbrush which was successfully removed via endoscopy using a polypectomy snare under topical pharyngeal anesthesia. The extracted toothbrush was 20 cm long, and it had the characteristic radiographic image.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents* / psychology
  • Adult
  • Bulimia / psychology
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / methods*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies* / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies* / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Tract*
  • Humans
  • Radiography
  • Toothbrushing / instrumentation*