PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ken J. Newell
AU  - Brian Taylor
AU  - John C. Walton
AU  - Edward J. Tweedie
TI  - Plastic bread-bag clips in the gastrointestinal tract: report of 5 cases and review of the literature
DP  - 2000 Feb 22
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 527--529
VI  - 162
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/162/4/527.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/162/4/527.full
SO  - CMAJ2000 Feb 22; 162
AB  - Plastic bread-bac clips have been identified as a cause of local perforation or obstruction at many sites in the gastrointestinal tract. This study is the largest case series yet reported, consisting of 3 cases presenting as small-bowel perforation, 1 case in which the clip was found incidentally in the small bowel at laparotomy during vascular surgery and 1 case in which the clip was found incidentally in the small bowel at autopsy. In all cases there was no radiographic evidence to suggest a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. People older than 60 years of age who have either partial or full dentures seem to be particularly at risk for the accidental ingestion of these devices. If accidentally ingested, plastic bread-bag clips represent a significant health hazard. As the population ages, small-bowel perforation secondary to ingestion of such clips may occur with increasing frequency. The authors recommend elimination or redesign of the clips, to prevent their being swallowed and becoming impacted in the small bowel or to allow them to be identified in the gastrointestinal tract by conventional radiography.