Kj. Newell et al., Plastic bread-bag clips in the gastrointestinal tract: report of 5 cases and review of the literature, CAN MED A J, 162(4), 2000, pp. 527-529
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
PLASTIC BREAD-BAG CLIPS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED as a cause of local perforatio
n or obstruction at many sites in the gastrointestinal tract. This study is
the largest case series yet reported, consisting of 3 cases presenting as
small-bowel perforation, 1 case in which the clip was found incidentally in
the small bowel at laparotomy during vascular surgery and 1 case in which
the clip was found incidentally in the small bowel at autopsy. In all cases
there was no radiographic evidence to suggest a foreign body in the gastro
intestinal tract. People older than 60 years of age who have either partial
or full dentures seem to be particularly at risk for the accidental ingest
ion of these devices. If accidentally ingested, plastic bread-bag clips rep
resent a significant health hazard. As the population ages, small-bowel per
foration secondary to ingestion of such clips may occur with increasing fre
quency. The authors recommend elimination or redesign of the clips, to prev
ent their being swallowed and becoming impacted in the small bowel or to al
low them to be identified in the gastrointestinal tract by conventional rad
iography.