C J Decker1. 1. Department of Surgery, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Ont.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the general surgical management of mentally handicapped persons with pica. DESIGN: A study of hospital records and a review of the current literature. SETTING: A community hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-five patients from a large institution for the mentally handicapped were treated for well-documented pica on 56 occasions at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital between 1976 and 1991. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopy and laparotomy for the removal of foreign bodies or to close perforations. RESULTS: Fourteen (25%) cases of pica were managed by observation only, but 42 (75%) cases required surgical intervention. There were 34 laparotomies. The complication rate was 30% and the death rate 11%. CONCLUSIONS: Pica is a serious health risk for mentally handicapped patients. Diagnosis and postoperative care can be difficult. Pica should be suspected in mentally handicapped patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: To review the general surgical management of mentally handicappedpersons with pica. DESIGN: A study of hospital records and a review of the current literature. SETTING: A community hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-five patients from a large institution for the mentally handicapped were treated for well-documented pica on 56 occasions at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital between 1976 and 1991. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopy and laparotomy for the removal of foreign bodies or to close perforations. RESULTS: Fourteen (25%) cases of pica were managed by observation only, but 42 (75%) cases required surgical intervention. There were 34 laparotomies. The complication rate was 30% and the death rate 11%. CONCLUSIONS: Pica is a serious health risk for mentally handicappedpatients. Diagnosis and postoperative care can be difficult. Pica should be suspected in mentally handicappedpatients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Authors: A S Hartmann; M Zenger; H Glaesmer; B Strauß; E Brähler; M de Zwaan; A Hilbert Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2022-06-09 Impact factor: 7.818