Miami doctors removed an 8-inch screwdriver from a 46-year-old man’s rectum.
The unnamed man apparently pushed the screwdriver inside himself and left it there for nearly a week.
The man, who has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, went to Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami, with symptoms of abdominal and pelvic pain. He had life-threatening septic shock.
Upon performing a CT scan on the man’s abdomen, doctors found what appeared to be a screwdriver, measuring more than 8 inches, which appeared to have punctured a part of his large intestine.
The doctors successfully removed the screwdriver and the man was found to be recovering well after the surgery.
The case was reported in the Annals of Medicine & Surgery.
The authors of the report, led by Dr. Youssef Shaban, wrote, “The patient recovered and was discharged to Behavioral Health for inpatient treatment of his psychiatric disorders.”
The report has stressed the importance of maintaining high suspicion when doctors encounter patients with mental health issues and lower abdominal pain.
The authors wrote, “The patient may not be forthcoming with information secondary to embarrassment or possibly psychiatric issues.” “Providers must express empathy and compassion while maintaining nonjudgmental composure,” added the authors.
