Mackay Memorial Hospital removes denture lodged in small intestine

An 85-year-old man was successfully treated at Mackay Memorial Hospital after accidentally swallowing a molar denture while traveling abroad. The foreign object remained lodged in a small intestine diverticulum for two months.

Initially, the patient sought medical attention upon returning to Taiwan, where X-rays confirmed the presence of the denture in the intestinal tract. Due to the patient's advanced age and lack of immediate symptoms, he was advised to monitor for natural passage via stool. However, after two months of no movement, a CT scan revealed the denture was stuck in a diverticulum—a small, pouch-like protrusion in the intestinal wall.

Medical professionals used a single-balloon enteroscopy, combined with fluoroscopy and an endoscopic net, to remove the denture in approximately 15 minutes. While the patient experienced no infection or bleeding, doctors warned that sharp metal edges could cause mucosal damage or perforation if left long-term.

Physicians at Mackay Memorial Hospital emphasized that while some small, smooth objects may pass naturally, sharp items, batteries, or magnets require prompt medical evaluation to prevent serious complications.