Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common surgical presentation with certain groups exhibiting a higher prevalence of this complaint compared to the general population. These include children, elderly persons, patients with dental prosthesis, people with alcohol or drug dependency, and people with mental health disorders [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]. FB ingestion may lead to complications like gastrointestinal mucosal injuries, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, infection, abscess formation, peritonitis or fistula formation [1].

It is believed that approximately 80–90% of ingested FBs pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing any luminal damage, however approximately 1% of FBs are known to remain lodged within the bowel and cause luminal erosion and perforation [3],[6],[7]. The most common sites of perforation are the ileocecal junction, rectosigmoid region, and duodenum due to acute angulation and narrowing of the lumen within these sections. Other, less commonly damaged sites include the appendix, colonic flexure, diverticulum, and anal sphincter [3],[7].

In our report, we discuss the case of a 13 year old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who presented with non-specific abdominal pain. Intraoperatively, a caecal perforation from an ingested metal wire was identified. This emphasised the importance of appropriate history taking, and also reminded colleagues to always have a high index of suspicion for serious medical/surgical problems in paediatric populations with ASD.

A 13-year-old boy was brought in by his parents to the emergency department with a 3 day history of non-specific abdomen pain. It was difficult to obtain a thorough history due to the communication difficulties associated with his diagnosis of ASD. From the limited information provided by the patient, it was understood that he had suffered from severe abdominal pain for 2-3 days which was worse in right iliac fossa region. He had never experienced similar pain before and he denied any nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or fever. His last bowel motion was during the night prior to presentation. It was noted that he had also suffered from coryzal symptoms with a runny nose for the past 2-3 weeks. His past medical history included a formal diagnosis of ASD, intellectual impairment, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). His vaccinations were up-to-date and his parents denied any recent travel history. On physical examination, the patient appeared to be unwell and lethargic. Vital signs were all within normal ranges. The patient was reluctant to allow for a proper examination as he had been anxious while he was at emergency department, therefore only limited examination was conducted. His abdomen was tender in the right lower quadrant and no obvious focal signs of peritonism were found. Groin examination was grossly unremarkable; testicular examination was however unable to be conducted. Biochemical laboratory tests highlighted a haemoglobin level of 129 g/L, elevated white cells (14.5x103 /mm3), and elevated CRP (50 mg/ dL). An abdominal ultrasound was performed, however the appendix was unable to be visualized. At this point a working diagnosis of appendicitis was made. He was subsequently admitted for intravenous antibiotics and booked and consented for a laparoscopy appendectomy. The surgery was conducted one day after the patient’s admission. Intraoperatively, the caecum was found to be covered with fibrin plaque with numerous adhesions to the wall of right iliac fossa. A 2–3 mm small caecal perforation was also identified along with a metal wire after further mobilization of the caecum. No contamination or enteric contents were seen. The distal ileum segment and appendix were grossly normal. As such, the decision was made to perform a laparoscopic removal of the foreign body and intracorporeal repair of the 3 mm perforation with 3x3-0 PDS caecal suture repair. Laparoscopic washout was conducted along with the insertion of a 15 blake drain at right paracolic gutter (Figure 1),(Figure 2),(Figure 3),(Figure 4).

The intra-operatively finding was discussed with the family following the procedure. On further history taking, it was noted that the patient had previous presentations related to ingestion of foreign bodies. The patient was first admitted under ENT surgery during 2015 with foreign bodies inserted into his ears for which surgical retrieval was required. Following this initial episode, the patient had presented to hospitals with self-inflicted injury to his left forearm with various FBs. Orthopaedic surgery for the removal of FBs was also conducted in May this year.

Post-operatively, IV antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin and metronidazole) were continued for 48 hours and the drain was removed on day two following the operation. The patient recovered well and was discharged home with five more days of oral Augmentin duo forte.

Sharp elongated shaped items are found to be the most common objects to cause perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Our case supports this as the long metal wire was found to be cause of the perforation.

Jayachandra et al. [1] conducted a systematic review of FB ingestion in the paediatric population. It was found that up to 75% of FB ingestion cases in paediatric patients were under 4 years old and most of them were between 6 months and 4 years of age [4]. Common ingested objects included coins, batteries, toys, marbles, erasers and bones. Patients with FB ingestion can either present asymptomatically or with a variety of symptoms depending on the type of FB that was ingested and how long it remained in situ. Clinical manifestations may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, hematemesis, PR bleeding, fever, generalised feeling of being unwell, diarrhoea, and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, choking, wheezing or stridor. It is recommended that batteries and sharp objects should be removed immediately either endoscopically or surgically as they carry a higher risk of bowel perforation, infection and death.

According to a case review of 21 cases [3], it is quite common that no definitive history or diagnosis of FB ingestion is able to be obtained preoperatively. Further, bowel perforation may not be diagnosed preoperatively because clinical symptoms are sometimes non-specific and mimic other surgical conditions such as appendicitis or diverticulitis [3],[4].

Sarmast et al. [3] determined from a review of 21 cases that the mean time from ingestion of a FB to presentation to a doctor was 9.3 days. This is similar to our case in which the patient had ingested a FB approximately 2 weeks prior to hospital presentation.

This case reminded us that as a clinician, we should have high index of suspicion for foreign body induced viscus perforation in a patient who presents with atypical abdominal pain, especially in paediatric patients with ASD. Patients with ASD often increase the difficulty of attaining a clinical diagnosis due to poor history taking and challenging physical examination. In young populations, limited imaging investigation has also increased the challenge of achieving a correct diagnosis. Appropriate explanation and discussion with patient’s parents regarding diagnostic laparoscopy is essential prior to surgery.

Overall, emergency diagnostic laparoscopy is recommended by authors of this paper if the patient has a clinical indication, such as an acute abdomen as in our case.