title: Duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather.
abstract: Ingestion of gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies represents a challenging clinical scenario. The greater risk is at extremes of age, in those wearing dentures, alcoholics and mentally handicapped. We present a case of duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather. A 64-year-old man was presented with abdominal pain for 4 days. Abdominal examination showed signs of peritonitis. The erect abdominal x-ray showed free gas under diaphragm. Exploratory laparotomy showed purulent fluid, but no definite site of perforation could be found. So the abdomen was closed with a drain in Morison's pouch. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. He came for a repeat check-up at 4 weeks with dull aching pain in the upper abdomen and was advised for a routine upper GI endoscopy which revealed a feather penetrating the first part of the duodenum, which was removed with a foreign body removing forceps. GI foreign bodies represent a significant problem and an increased level of suspicion is important for timely diagnosis and treatment.
authors: Department of General Surgery, S.C.B Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India. manash67@gmail.com
authors: Manash Ranjan
authors: MR
authors: Sahoo
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D004386:Duodenum / Q000293:injuries*; D005241:Feathers; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011029:Pneumoradiography