A 73-year-old woman suffered a perforated duodenum after mistakenly swallowing an empty pill.

According to the patient's account, approximately 3 days prior to admission, the patient experienced persistent, dull abdominal pain in the epigastric and right hypochondriac regions, which gradually worsened. Treatment at a lower-level facility was ineffective. The patient arrived at the Emergency Department of Military Central Hospital 108 with increasing abdominal pain and a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius.

Upon examination, the doctors suspected peritonitis due to a perforated hollow organ, a serious abdominal emergency.

The doctor examines the patient.

Immediately afterward, the patient underwent an emergency abdominal CT scan, which revealed a perforation in the duodenum at segments DII-DIII, suspected to be caused by a foreign object (a pill capsule). Following emergency surgery, the foreign object was identified as a pill capsule, the duodenal perforation was sutured, and the abdominal cavity was cleaned. The patient recovered well after the timely surgery.

According to doctors here, peritonitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the peritoneum due to various causes, ranging from abdominal infections to infections originating elsewhere. However, symptoms are often masked in elderly patients with weakened immune systems.

The diagnostic process in these patients is challenging and requires prompt, meticulous, and accurate examination to reduce complications and mortality. Particular caution should be exercised if the patient has swallowed a foreign object: pill casings, bones, toothpicks, etc., which are common causes of perforation of hollow organs. Delayed surgery can lead to complications such as peritonitis, multiple organ failure, and even death.

Doctors also advise that cases of swallowed foreign objects should be examined by a specialist, and gastroscopy or abdominal CT scan should be performed if necessary. Early detection and regular monitoring will minimize the risk of complications and death.

Thu Phuong

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cu-ba-73-tuoi-bi-thung-ta-trang-vi-uong-nham-vo-thuoc-post253009.html