Discussion
The plain abdominal radiograph (Figure 1) demonstrated heroin-filled condoms in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Presumably, the patient swallowed the condoms and one of them ruptured during the flight, thereby causing the patient's drowsiness.
Figure 1
“Body packing” refers to individuals who swallow or pack body orifices with drugs to transport them across borders. Often, this involves the use of rubber or condoms to prevent the packets from rupturing. “Body stuffing” is a term used to describe when an individual swallows drugs in an attempt to avoid prosecution by the police.
The first reported case of body packing was in 1973, when a body packer had developed a small-bowel obstruction nearly 2 weeks after swallowing a condom filled with hashish. The patient underwent surgical removal.[1] Cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"), marijuana, and hashish are the drugs that are usually smuggled in this manner.[2]
Body packers usually carry about 2.2 lb (1 kg) of drugs, divided into 50-100 packets of 0.29-0.35 oz (8-10 g) each; however, persons carrying more than 200 packets have been reported.[2] The packets are usually well-designed and constructed, possibly with the help of machines, so as to make them resistant to rupture.[3] The drug is first packed into a balloon or condom, followed by additional layers of latex and, finally, sealed with wax.[2] If a packet ruptures, however, it releases a high dose of drug into the gastrointestinal tract that can lead to drastic consequences. The acute drug intoxication that can result is associated with high mortality rates.[3]
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Cite this: Anusuya Mokashi, Chandrasekar Palaniswamy, Dhana Rekha Selvaraj, et. al. A 22-Year-Old Who Fell Asleep on a Plane and Didn’t Wake Up - Medscape - May 21, 2020.
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