Contemporary management of drug-packers
نویسندگان
چکیده
Experience with management of drug-packers (mules) is variable among different centres. However, despite a recorded increase in drug trafficking in general, as yet, no unified, clear guidelines exist to guide the medical management of those who only occasionally encounter these individuals. We describe our recent experience with this growing problem and discuss the most salient points concerning the contemporary management of body packers. Our recent experience demonstrates that type IV packages may now be managed conservatively for the most part.
منابع مشابه
Heroin Body Packer’s Death in Shiraz, Iran; a Case Report and Literature Review
Background: Intra-corporeal concealment of illicit drugs known as ‘body packing’ is uncommonly reported. These drugs mainly comprise opium, heroin, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), amphetamines, and marijuana or hashish. Body packers may also be called swallowers, internal carriers, couriers or mules. Although this practice is not new, its medical complications have alway...
متن کامل"Body packers" in Israel: a case series.
BACKGROUND "Body packers" swallow multiple packets filled with illicit drugs, mainly cocaine, in order to smuggle them across international borders. In recent years, an increasing number of body packers have been hospitalized after their detention by the police upon arrival in Israel. OBJECTIVES To characterize the clinical features and outcomes of body packers hospitalized at the Sheba Medic...
متن کاملEstablishment of a definitive protocol for the diagnosis and management of body packers (drug mules).
BACKGROUND 'Mules' or body packers are people who transport illegal drugs by packet ingestion into the gastrointestinal tract. These people are otherwise healthy and their management should maintain minimal morbidity. In this study, experience with body packers is presented and an algorithm for conservative and surgical management is provided. METHODS The clinical patient database for all bod...
متن کاملBody Packing: From Seizures to Laparotomy
Body packing is a common method for illegal drug trafficking. Complications associated with body packing can be severe and even lead to rapid death. Thus, a timely diagnosis is warranted. As most body packers initially do not show any symptoms, making a correct diagnosis can be rather challenging. We describe a case of a 41-year-old male, who was admitted with an epileptic seizure and who turne...
متن کاملAsymptomatic body packers should be treated conservatively.
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عنوان ژورنال:
- World Journal of Emergency Surgery
دوره 2 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2007