title: Toothbrush ingestion by bulimics may require laparotomy.
abstract: Two girls accidentally swallowed their toothbrush while inducing emesis; both had bulimia. Early removal of the brush is advised to prevent complications. Endoscopic removal is the preferred method, but because of the toothbrush's geometric qualities, surgical retrieval is often required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Biomedical and Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Karamanoukian
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Glick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*