n (body-packer cases) | 50 | |
Study duration (months) | 60 | |
n (CT scans) | 104 | |
Number of CTs mean (SD) | 2 (1) | (range 0–4) |
Packages concealed median | 51 | (IQR 5–86, range 1–187) |
Hospital LOS (days) | 1.9 | (IQR 1.0–3.0) |
Time: last CT to discharge (hours) | 2.6 | (IQR 1.4–5.4) |
Age (years) | 38 | (IQR 30–44) |
Male | 34 | (68%) |
Sites of concealment | ||
Gastrointestinal tract | 50 | (100%) |
Vagina | 7 | (14%) |
Foreskin | 1* | (2%) |
External to body | 3 | (6%) |
Method of expulsion | ||
Per rectal expulsion (no laxative) | 3 | (6%) |
Per rectal expulsion with laxative | 45 | (90%) |
Manual retrieval from orifice | 7 | (14%) |
Endoscopic retrieval | 2† | (4%) |
Surgical removal | 0 | (0%) |
Complications‡ | 0 | (0%) |
*Unconfirmed, possible concealed foreign body noted on review of CT after discharge.
†Endoscopic retrieval failed and packages ultimately passed per rectum.
‡Complications considered were package rupture, drug toxicity, bowel obstruction or perforation.
LOS, length of stay.