Skip to main content
Canadian Journal of Surgery logoLink to Canadian Journal of Surgery
. 1999 Jun;42(3):201–204.

The hazards of vinyl glove ingestion in the mentally retarded patient with pica: new implications for surgical management

Ihab Kamal *,, John Thompson , Dana M Paquette
PMCID: PMC3788950  PMID: 10372016

Abstract

Objective

To report experience with the treatment of complications of vinyl glove ingestion in mentally retarded patients with pica.

Design

A retrospective case series.

Setting

Two university-affiliated hospitals.

Patients

Five mentally retarded patients, 4 with a history of pica, who were admitted for the management of complications resulting from the ingestion of vinyl gloves.

Main outcome measures

Type of complication, treatment and operative outcome.

Findings

The patients ranged in age from 26 to 46 years. One patient died while awaiting surgical consultation of massive gastrointestinal bleeding from a large gastric ulcer caused by a vinyl glove bezoar (VGB). Four VGBs were removed surgically. Endoscopic removal was difficult or impossible because the gloves had become hardened and matted.

Conclusions

VGB should be considered in institutionalized mentally retarded people with a history of pica when they present with gastrointestinal symptoms. VGBs should be removed directly by laparotomy, gastrotomy or enterotomy. Endoscopic removal is not recommended.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (1.9 MB).


Articles from Canadian Journal of Surgery are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

RESOURCES