Doctors Removed Ingested Nails via Colonoscopy

Medical staff at the University of Connecticut used a specialized cap-assisted procedure to extract metal objects.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Healthcare

Isometric editorial illustration of an endoscope cap attachment and a metal nail on a sterile tray, representing clinical medical technology. — Physicians at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine successfully extracted eight ingested nails from a patient's bowels using a specialized cap-assisted colonoscopy procedure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Physicians at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine removed eight ingested nails from a patient's bowels. The procedure, performed four days after ingestion, utilized a cap-assisted colonoscopy to protect the mucosal lining.

Why it matters

This case highlights the efficacy of using a distal cap attachment to safely navigate sharp objects through the gastrointestinal tract. Such techniques are essential for preventing mucosal perforation during the non-surgical removal of foreign bodies.

Medical staff successfully extracted eight nails from the patient's ileocecal valve. Before the intervention, doctors administered 3 liters of polyethylene glycol to aid the passage of foreign bodies.

The players

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

This is a public research university and medical school that provides clinical services and training for healthcare professionals.

The details

Doctors at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine attached a hard, transparent cap to the endoscope to shield the colon from sharp edges. The team maneuvered the nails into the cap using a snare, resulting in only minor, superficial abrasions to the mucosa during the removal process.

Prior to the procedure, the patient received bowel rest and polyethylene glycol therapy.
The colonoscopy was performed four days after the patient ingested the nails.
No further complications were observed in the year following the procedure.

Market Landscape

This procedure reflects a broader shift toward minimally invasive endoscopic interventions for complex gastrointestinal cases. It demonstrates how specialized equipment at academic medical centers continues to reduce the need for traditional surgical intervention.

For residents in the area, this case underscores the availability of advanced, non-surgical endoscopic capabilities at major regional academic hospitals. Patients requiring urgent gastrointestinal procedures benefit from specialized tools that minimize recovery time and prevent invasive surgery.

The takeaway

Innovative use of endoscopic caps serves as a critical tool for safely extracting sharp objects without performing major surgery. This case proves that specialized techniques can successfully manage high-risk ingestion incidents when patients are monitored closely.