title: [Body packer: review and experience in a referral hospital].
abstract: Smuggling of illicit drugs by concealing them within the human body (body packer) is a medical-legal issue that has increased in the last few decades. Physicians, especially those working in the emergency department, should be familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic management -usually conservative management- of this type of patient and their possible complications. The present article reviews the general concepts and physiopathology associated with transport of packages in the digestive tract and describes the experience of a referral hospital with a protocol specifically designed for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), España. zoiluco@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Zoilo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Madrazo
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silvio-Estaba
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Secanella
authors.forename: Arantxa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Barrasa
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Golda
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biondo
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rafecas
mesh_terms: D003042:Cocaine; D003132:Commerce; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013030:Spain; D014186:Transportation; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine