Sir, a 74-year-old gentleman suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma presented to Prince Charles accident and emergency department (ED), with an ingested irrigating needle in his stomach. Earlier in the day he had visited his local general dental practitioner (GDP) complaining of toothache from his lower right last standing molar tooth. The patient was diagnosed with an irreversible pulpitis in the 47 and due to a risk of bleeding the GDP opted to extirpate the tooth. During the extirpation and irrigation of the root canals the irrigating needle was lost from the tip of the syringe and ingested by the patient. Radiographic examination in the ED revealed a 30 gauge needle in the stomach.

Following sedation of the patient, endoscopy was used to retrieve the needle from the patient's stomach and he was observed for a further two hours. The patient was then discharged home with no further complications.

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