Laparoscopic appendectomy for elemental mercury sequestration in the appendix: A case report  

作　　者：Gregor Nor?i? ?an ?ebron Primo? Sever Jan Grosek Ale? Toma?i? 

机构地区：[1]Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana

出　　处：《World Journal of Clinical Cases》2019年第9期1038-1042,共5页世界临床病例杂志

摘　　要：BACKGROUND Despite negligible absorption of elemental mercury after acute ingestion,retention in the appendix with subsequent local and systemic complications is possible. We present a case of elemental mercury sequestration in the appendix,managed by laparoscopic appendectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old Caucasian female was found unconscious following application of long-lasting insulin detemir and ingestion of elemental mercury in a suicidal attempt. Diagnostic investigations revealed several radiopaque collections in the gastrointestinal(GI) tract and elevated mercury levels in the blood. Much of the ingested elemental mercury was eliminated from the GI tract with stools stimulated by several enemas. However, a significant amount of mercury remained sequestrated in the appendix despite all conservative measures.Consequently, following deliberations by an interdisciplinary team of specialists,laparoscopic appendectomy was performed 29 d after the mercury ingestion. The surgery itself and postoperative course were uneventful.CONCLUSION Since conservative measures are often unsuccessful in the management of mercury retention in the appendix, surgery remains a compelling option to prevent possible associated complications.BACKGROUND Despite negligible absorption of elemental mercury after acute ingestion,retention in the appendix with subsequent local and systemic complications is possible. We present a case of elemental mercury sequestration in the appendix,managed by laparoscopic appendectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old Caucasian female was found unconscious following application of long-lasting insulin detemir and ingestion of elemental mercury in a suicidal attempt. Diagnostic investigations revealed several radiopaque collections in the gastrointestinal(GI) tract and elevated mercury levels in the blood. Much of the ingested elemental mercury was eliminated from the GI tract with stools stimulated by several enemas. However, a significant amount of mercury remained sequestrated in the appendix despite all conservative measures.Consequently, following deliberations by an interdisciplinary team of specialists,laparoscopic appendectomy was performed 29 d after the mercury ingestion. The surgery itself and postoperative course were uneventful.CONCLUSION Since conservative measures are often unsuccessful in the management of mercury retention in the appendix, surgery remains a compelling option to prevent possible associated complications.

关 键 词：MERCURY POISONING APPENDIX MERCURY ingestion MERCURY RETENTION APPENDECTOMY Case report 

分 类 号：R[医药卫生]