BACKGROUND: Internal concealment of illicit drugs during international drug traffic represents an important problem in developed countries. These drug traffickers are called "body packers." The aim of this study was to analyze retroprospectively the surgical indications and complications for cocaine body packers and to describe our systematic operative protocol. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2005, 1,181 cocaine body packers were admitted to our Medico-Judiciary Emergency Department. All patients had the same medical surveillance protocol. Nineteen patients required surgical procedure to remove drug packets. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had obstruction or intestinal retention (68%). Suspicion of packet rupture or cocaine intoxication occurred in six patients (32%). Zero to three enterotomies were necessary during laparotomy. No deaths occurred. One pouch abscess required relaparotomy and one wound abscess was treated medically. The median hospital stay was 7 days (range: 5-30 days). CONCLUSIONS: Few cocaine body packers required a laparotomy. Our systematic operative protocol allowed intestinal clearance and caused acceptable morbidity rate.
BACKGROUND: Internal concealment of illicit drugs during international drug traffic represents an important problem in developed countries. These drug traffickers are called "body packers." The aim of this study was to analyze retroprospectively the surgical indications and complications for cocaine body packers and to describe our systematic operative protocol. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2005, 1,181 cocaine body packers were admitted to our Medico-Judiciary Emergency Department. All patients had the same medical surveillance protocol. Nineteen patients required surgical procedure to remove drug packets. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had obstruction or intestinal retention (68%). Suspicion of packet rupture or cocaine intoxication occurred in six patients (32%). Zero to three enterotomies were necessary during laparotomy. No deaths occurred. One pouch abscess required relaparotomy and one wound abscess was treated medically. The median hospital stay was 7 days (range: 5-30 days). CONCLUSIONS: Few cocaine body packers required a laparotomy. Our systematic operative protocol allowed intestinal clearance and caused acceptable morbidity rate.
Authors: Rocco Roberto Pidoto; Anna Maria Agliata; Roberto Bertolini; Alberto Mainini; Gianfranco Rossi; Giuseppe Giani Journal: J Emerg Med Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 1.484
Authors: L Álvarez Llano; C Rey Valcalcel; Y M Al-Lal; M D Pérez Díaz; A Stafford; F Turégano Fuentes Journal: Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg Date: 2014-03-04 Impact factor: 3.693
Authors: Jacob K de Bakker; P W B Nanayakkara; L M G Geeraedts; E S M de Lange; M O Mackintosh; H J Bonjer Journal: Langenbecks Arch Surg Date: 2011-10-08 Impact factor: 3.445