title: Body packing by rectal insertion of cocaine packets: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Body packing is used for international drug transport, immediate drug concealment during a police searching or introducing drugs inside prisons. Despite the high level of specialization of dealers who have started to manufacture more complex packs, up to 5% of patients could develop intoxication due to pack rupture. Bowel obstruction is another acute complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 27-year-old black male patient was sent to the hospital by court order for clinical evaluation and toxicological examination. The patient was conscious, oriented, had good color, normal arterial pressure and heart rate, and no signs of acute intoxication. Abdominal examination revealed discrete pain upon deep palpation and a small mass in the left iliac fossa. A plain abdominal radiograph revealed several oval structures located in the rectum and sigmoid. Fasting and a 50 g dose of activated charcoal every six hours were prescribed. After three days, the patient spontaneously evacuated 28 cocaine packs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adequate clinical management and prompt identification of potential complications are of fundamental importance in dealing with body packing.
authors: Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil. fabioneves@ufscar.br
authors: Fabio Fernandes
authors: FF
authors: Neves
authors: Palmira
authors: P
authors: Cupo
authors: Valdair Francisco
authors: VF
authors: Muglia
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Elias Junior
authors: Marcello Henrique
authors: MH
authors: Nogueira-Barbosa
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pazin-Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine; D003415:Crime; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine
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