A needle penetrating the stomach cavity after acupuncture

Clin Endosc. 2014 May;47(3):258-61. doi: 10.5946/ce.2014.47.3.258. Epub 2014 May 31.

Abstract

Although acupuncture is known as a safe procedure that is widely used in many countries, complications including infection, hemorrhage, hematoma, pneumothorax, nerve damage, and cardiac tamponade have been reported. A needle penetrating the stomach after acupuncture, however, is very rare. Here, we report the case of 47-year-old woman who experienced abdominal pain 2 days after receiving acupuncture. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy identified an approximately 2.5-cm long needle in the posterior wall of the antrum. The needle was removed endoscopically using rat tooth forceps with no complications.

Keywords: Acupuncture complication; Endoscopic removal; Foreign body; Needles; Stomach.