The incidence of foreign body ingestion has increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. As face masks became increasingly available, we report a case of accidental ingestion of the metal strip insert of a surgical mask. After initially progressing, its progress halted after 24 hours. This case highlights the challenges of timing the endoscopic removal of long objects, especially considering the reduced endoscopic availability during the pandemic. Despite only causing local trauma, the strip was impacted at the duodenojejunal flexure with the potential to cause obstruction. Limiting morbidity relies on urgent removal and prevention of similar ingestions by emphasizing the safe use and storage of masks.
Keywords: Coronavirus; face mask; foreign body.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.