Intestinal perforation by a foreign body, without identifying a perforation site at laparotomy

A case is reported of a young man, who was presented with abdominal pain and an inflammatory abdominal mass resulting from intestinal perforation by a wooden spike. Thorough surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity didn't reveal the perforation site. An inflammatory mass in small bowel mesentery was excised and the cavity drained. The patient had an uneventful recovery. In cases of intestinal perforation by wooden spikes the site of perforation may not be identified. Healing of the opening after the passage of the spike is the possible mechanism. The outcome of these patients even without finding the opening is favorable.