Laparoscopic Removal of a Swallowed Dinner Fork from the Stomach: A Minimally-Invasive Management for Swallowed Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Swallowed foreign bodies are common problems in emergency departments. Up to 90% of the foreign bodies pass spontaneously and 10 to 20% require an endoscopic removal [1]. Surgical intervention is indicated when large or sharp foreign bodies are involved because of the potential risk of perforation and obstruction. The surgical intervention may be laparotomy or laparoscopy. Advantages of laparoscopic surgery are well known and have to be preferred when endoscopy is unsuccessful or dangerous. We report on a case in which an unintentional ingested metal dinner fork was removed from the stomach by laparoscopic surgery. MeSH Words: Foreign Body; Gastrointestinal Tract; Laparoscopy