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Open Access Case Report

Small bowel obstruction secondary to migration of a fragment of lithobezoar: a case report

Mekki Medani*, Eddie Myers, Bryan Kenny and David Waldron

Author Affiliations

Department of Surgery & Radiology, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:9155 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9155

Published: 7 December 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Small bowel obstruction is a common world-wide condition that has a range of etiological factors. The management is largely dependent on the cause of the obstruction. Small bowel obstruction caused by foreign body ingestion is rare; many items have been reported as responsible, but there are no reports implicating polyurethane foam.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 44-year-old Irish male who presented following ingestion of polyurethane foam. He was asymptomatic on presentation but developed a small bowel obstruction shortly thereafter.

Conclusion

Patients presenting following ingestion of polyurethane foam should be scheduled for elective laparotomy, gastrotomy, and retrieval of the cast on the next available theatre list - given that they are suitable for surgery.