[Intestinal perforation caused by a toothpick].

Intestinal injuries are pathologies frequently caused by toothpicks. In literature are reported serious damage to the cardiovascular system, lung and systemic fatal sepsis. In literature are also reported some deaths caused by delayed diagnosis. The authors report two cases of intestinal perforation by toothpick. Both patients had accidentally swallowed the toothpick. The clinical state was compatible with acute abdomen in a 59 year old psychopathic patient and acute appendicitis in a 27 year old patient. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance of a careful anamnesis for detecting the swallowing of a toothpick.