An elderly woman from Dallas, Texas, found herself in a peculiar situation when she accidentally swallowed her bottom dentures while eating dinner. The incident left her family baffled, leading them to rush her to UT Southwestern Medical Center’s emergency department for assistance. Despite the unusual circumstances, the woman reported feeling little to no pain and had no trouble swallowing.
Given the woman’s medical history, including a stroke, Alzheimer’s-related dementia, and lymphoma of the brain, doctors decided to perform an endoscopy to confirm if she had indeed swallowed her dentures without realization. The endoscopic scan revealed that the dentures were lodged in her stomach. To remove them, physicians used a scope with a foreign body hood protector attached to successfully retrieve the dentures with forceps-like devices.
Fortunately, the woman suffered no significant injuries from the incident and was discharged from the hospital the following day. The medical team noted that denture ingestion is a common occurrence among older adults. Although the hospital’s press office was unable to provide specific patient details, they referred to a published case study that discussed the incident.
The study emphasized the importance of recognizing foreign body ingestion as a hazard for adults, particularly the elderly, as it can lead to serious complications. It also supported endoscopy as a safe and effective intervention for removing ingested foreign objects in the geriatric population. While most cases pass through the gastrointestinal tract without issues, approximately 20% require endoscopic retrieval, and emergency surgery is warranted in 1% of cases.
This particular case, which involved an elderly patient and resulted in a challenging yet successful endoscopic retrieval, was documented in a study published in late 2020. The woman’s dementia may have contributed to her lack of awareness regarding the discomfort associated with the dentures in her stomach. The study further revealed that dentures are one of the most frequently ingested items among adults, along with bones, chicken or fish, and jewelry. Tragically, an estimated 1,500 individuals in the United States die annually from swallowing foreign objects.
Other reported cases have highlighted the swallowing of partial dentures and subsequent medical procedures. Caregivers in nursing homes are urged to remain vigilant as even large partial dentures can be accidentally swallowed, especially when caring for patients with dementia.
As news of the incident spread, various commenters expressed their astonishment and sympathy for the woman. One commenter questioned how she could have swallowed something of that size, with another promptly responding that it is a common occurrence among the elderly. Another person simply expressed their concern and compassion for her.
In conclusion, an elderly woman from Dallas found herself in a unique predicament when she accidentally swallowed her bottom dentures while eating dinner. Thanks to a timely endoscopy and the expertise of the medical team, the dentures were successfully removed from her stomach, allowing her to return home the next day. This case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of foreign body ingestion in adults, particularly the elderly, and the importance of prompt medical intervention.
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