Non-specific abdominal pain, an inconclusive CT scan and an unusual and puzzling finding at exploratory laparotomy

A 71-year-old man presented to our hospital with generalised abdominal pain. Initial laboratory investigations were normal and an abdominal CT scan was inconclusive. The following day, persisting pain, generalised tenderness and haemodynamic instability prompted exploratory laparotomy. At laparotomy, two perforations of the proximal jejunum were identified caused by two 3 cm pieces of wood. The pieces of wood were retrieved and the perforations repaired primarily. The postoperative period was complicated by acute confusion but the patient went on to make a full recovery. On direct questioning, the patient was unable to explain the presence of wood within his gastrointestinal tract. One hypothesis was that he may have ingested this material during a period of acute confusion following an elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair 8 years previously.