INGESTION OF FOREIGN-BODIES IN PRISONERS

The records of 261 prisoners who purposely ingested foreing bodies are analyzed retrospectively. The data include type, shape, and number of foreing bodies as well as localization, clinical repercussion, evolut ion of patients, and the treatment they recieved. Laparotomy was neces sary in 41 cases (15.7%) due to severe complications like obstruction, hemorrage or perforation. All of our patients operated on had an unev entful postoperative course, without mortality. In our series, there w ere patients with more than one episode of ingestion of foreign bodies and others who needed reoperation.