We present a patient who experienced classic symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction. He attempted to relieve the symptoms by swallowing a mixture of herbs and cowrie.
This undoubtedly worsened his symptoms and he was finally brought to the hospital . After crystalloid resuscitation and iv antibiotics , patient was counselled for laparotomy.
The following are the intraoperative findings
An impacted cowrie found at a narrowed segment of the small bowel about 60cm proximal to the ICJ
Dr Richard Ametih and the surgical team ,
St Benito Menni Hospital