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Value of a Systematic Operative Protocol for Cocaine Body Packers

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Abstract

Background

Internal concealment of illicit drugs during international drug traffic represents an important problem in developed countries. These drug traffickers are called “body packers.” The aim of this study was to analyze retroprospectively the surgical indications and complications for cocaine body packers and to describe our systematic operative protocol.

Methods

From January 1997 to December 2005, 1,181 cocaine body packers were admitted to our Medico-Judiciary Emergency Department. All patients had the same medical surveillance protocol. Nineteen patients required surgical procedure to remove drug packets.

Results

Thirteen patients had obstruction or intestinal retention (68%). Suspicion of packet rupture or cocaine intoxication occurred in six patients (32%). Zero to three enterotomies were necessary during laparotomy. No deaths occurred. One pouch abscess required relaparotomy and one wound abscess was treated medically. The median hospital stay was 7 days (range: 5–30 days).

Conclusions

Few cocaine body packers required a laparotomy. Our systematic operative protocol allowed intestinal clearance and caused acceptable morbidity rate.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank D. Hervault for providing us with detailed documentation and Prof. A. Fingerhut for his help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Digestive Surgery, Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, AP-HP, Paris, 75004, France

    Nicolas Veyrie, Stéphane Servajean, Abdelhalim Aissat, Nicola Corigliano, Céline Angelakov & Jean-Luc Bouillot

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  1. Nicolas Veyrie
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  2. Stéphane Servajean
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  3. Abdelhalim Aissat
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  4. Nicola Corigliano
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  5. Céline Angelakov
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  6. Jean-Luc Bouillot
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Correspondence to Nicolas Veyrie.

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Veyrie, N., Servajean, S., Aissat, A. et al. Value of a Systematic Operative Protocol for Cocaine Body Packers. World J Surg 32, 1432–1437 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-007-9432-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-007-9432-5

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