Accidental Ingestion of Arch Bar During Intermaxillary Fixation for Maxillofacial Fracture: A Report of a Case

Accidental slippage of foreign objects during dental procedures is an unpredicted event for the clinician and the patient. Although rare, the iatrogenic ingestion of dental materials, instruments, or teeth warrants prompt medical attention. Aspirated foreign bodies lodged in the lungs will require urgent intervention due to the risk of serious complications. A swallowed foreign object will travel via the alimentary canal and may or may not get excreted without causing harm. This report presents a case of accidental ingestion of a segment of an arch bar during mandibular arch bar fixation in a patient with maxillofacial fractures. The report covers the events following the accidental swallowing of the arch bar segment, the management for retrieval, and attempts to identify the risk factors that led to this iatrogenic event.