EP.FRI.306 The Mule who took us for a ride

Abstract Introduction Foreign body ingestion is not uncommon in patients with mental disorders, alcohol intoxication and for purposes of drug trafficking. Small objects pass spontaneously; however, larger ones may get stuck the oesophagus, stomach or at narrow areas bowel. "Body packers" a term used to describe persons who swallow insert drug-filled packets into cavity. They are also called “swallowers”, “internal carriers” “couriers” “mules”. Case report We 37 year old previous abuser presented dysphagia. Upper GI endoscopy showed an oblong foreign covered plastic lower oesophagus. This could be extracted hence was pushed stomach. Three weeks later, he bowel obstruction that shown on abdominal radiograph confirmed by CT indicating multiple dilated small loops transition point terminal ileum where ingested package identified. The then removed through longitudinal enterotomy. Conclusion Ingested bodies causing dysphagia should ideally endoscopically. If possible, watch wait policy justified. While most spontaneously, unusual require surgical extraction. contents, nature reason ingesting this strange object remain mystery. With history abuse consistent denial knowingly swallowing object, we can only conclude patient trying transport illicit packet. Keywords ingestion, obstruction, packers.