title: Ingestion of a RPE activation key: Why do these accidents still happen?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To draw attention and increase professional awareness about the potentially serious complications that may occur when these misfortunes happen and to what actions could be implemented to avoid such accidents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present case report is of an accidental ingestion of a rapid maxillary expander (RPE) activation key in a cardiac patient and the subsequent diagnostic confirmation with radiographs and the management of this accident thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the third day after the accidental ingestion of the RPE key, the patient's parents reported that the key was expelled in the stools without further complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ingestion of foreign bodies is a potential complication during orthodontic treatment. These types of accidents may cause serious consequences to the patient, especially if there is a pre-existing systemic condition, such as heart disease or respiratory problems.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500, Prédio 46, Sala 106, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-610, Brazil. marielegarcia@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: M C G
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pantuzo
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500, Prédio 46, Sala 106, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-610, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500, Prédio 46, Sala 106, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-610, Brazil.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500, Prédio 46, Sala 106, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-610, Brazil.
authors.forename: L S da M C
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004867:Equipment Design; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Child; Foreign bodies; Ingestion; Maxillary expansion; Orthodontic treatment