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A sticky situation: management of spray polyurethane foam insulation in body orifices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2015

Robert J. Sowerby ,
Leigh J. Sowerby  and
Chris Vinden
Robert J. Sowerby
Affiliation:
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Leigh J. Sowerby
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON
Chris Vinden*
Affiliation:
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, ON
*
Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre-Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON N6A 5W9; cvinden@sympatico.ca

Abstract

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Spray polyurethane foam insulation is commonly used in the construction industry to fill gaps, seal, and insulate. We present three cases of intentional spray foam insertion in body orifices and discuss the management of such situations in the emergency department. This series includes a case of oral foam insertion used in a suicide attempt by suffocation and two cases of rectal insertion. All of these cases had potential long-term consequences; one was life-threatening. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on the medical management and removal of foam insulation from body orifices. In all three cases, the foam insulation material was successfully removed after allowing the material to harden.

Keywords

foam insulationforeign bodyisocyanatespolyurethane insulationspray foam
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 6 , November 2011 , pp. 404 - 408
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2011

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