Do ingested sharp objects perforate the intestine?
- On rare occasions, sharp objects, such as pins, needles, nails, and toothpicks, may perforate the intestine, but in 70% to 90% of cases they pass through the alimentary tract without complication.
- Two phenomena in the intestine allow safe passage: (1) foreign bodies pass with axial flow down the lumen, and (2) reflex relaxation and slowing of peristalsis cause sharp objects to turn around in the lumen so that the sharp end trails down the intestine.
- In the colon, the foreign object is centered in the fecal bolus, which further protects the bowel wall.
