Case Report - Swallowed Piece of Archwire

A fifteen year old healthy, male patient contacted our office stating that whilst eating a bread roll he had swallowed a piece of orthodontic archwire. He complained of stomach pain and was advised to contact his local medical practitioner who had the area radiographed. The radiographic examination revealed the piece of archwire to be lodged in the pylorus. The patient was then referred to a consultant physician who, using a gastroscope and with the orthodontist present, to assist with supervision of the orthodontic appliance during gastroscopy and to determine that the piece removed had not undergone further fracture, removed the piece of broken archwire.

The piece of wire was forwarded to the Therapeutic Devices Branch of the Department of Community Services and Health for analysis.