Accident in Implant Dentistry: Involuntary Screwdriver Ingestion during Surgical Procedure. A Clinical Report

Although unusual, foreign body ingestion occurs in dentistry and may result in serious complications, such as intestinal perforation. The presence of the foreign body should be confirmed with the use of radiographs. The exam will allow the correct diagnosis and the treatment to be conducted according to the specific situation of the object in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The orientation of the patient as well as the awareness of the patient's medical history are key factors in preventing serious complications. Generally, instruments that enter the GI tract pass asymptomatically and atraumatically within 4 days to 2 weeks. Sometimes, a surgical approach is necessary to remove the instrument when there is bleeding, obstruction, or impaction in the GI tract. Thus, a correct diagnosis is vital to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. The aim of this article is to report an accidental ingestion of a screwdriver by a patient who had previously undergone a hemi-mandibulectomy and its medical resolution.