Ascending colon perforation by ingested fruit stones

BACKGROUND: Ingested foreign bodies present problems due to the related complications, perforation being the most frequent. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a descriptive study of two cases of ascending colon perforation by numerous ingested fruit stones. The main symptoms were abdominal pain with tenderness in the lower right quadrant. RESULTS: In both cases the diagnosis was made at operation, with right hemicolectomy and termino-lateral ileo-colic anastomosis. Post-operative outcome was uneventful with the exception of a wound infection. The possible mechanism of the delayed perforation is discussed. Diagnosis and treatment modality alternatives in foreign body ingestion and the literature data are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed perforations by ingested fruit stones can be difficult to diagnose preoperatively but if operated in due time are curable by resection of the affected bowel.