Value of a systematic operative protocol for cocaine body packers.
BACKGROUND
Internal concealment of illicit drugs during international drug traffic represents an important problem in developed countries. These drug traffickers are called "body packers." The aim of this study was to analyze retroprospectively the surgical indications and complications for cocaine body packers and to describe our systematic operative protocol.


METHODS
From January 1997 to December 2005, 1,181 cocaine body packers were admitted to our Medico-Judiciary Emergency Department. All patients had the same medical surveillance protocol. Nineteen patients required surgical procedure to remove drug packets.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients had obstruction or intestinal retention (68%). Suspicion of packet rupture or cocaine intoxication occurred in six patients (32%). Zero to three enterotomies were necessary during laparotomy. No deaths occurred. One pouch abscess required relaparotomy and one wound abscess was treated medically. The median hospital stay was 7 days (range: 5-30 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Few cocaine body packers required a laparotomy. Our systematic operative protocol allowed intestinal clearance and caused acceptable morbidity rate.
Veyrie
Nicolas
N
Department of Digestive Surgery, Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, AP-HP, Paris 75004, France. nikovri@yahoo.fr
Servajean
Stéphane
S
Aissat
Abdelhalim
A
Corigliano
Nicola
N
Angelakov
Céline
C
Bouillot
Jean-Luc
JL
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D054368:Laxatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D054368:Laxatives; D003042:Cocaine