INTRODUCTION: Foreign body ingestion is rare in adults and surgical intervention is required in less than 1% of patients METHODS: We present the case of a 42-year-old male presenting abdominal pain and melena for 6 days. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a 2.8-cm metallic radiodensity in the proximal jejunum, likely representing an ingested foreign body. RESULTS: The abdominal cavity was accessed through a supraumbilical incision and accessory trocars were placed in the right and left mid abdominal quadrants. Upon inspection of the abdominal cavity, the major omentum was elevated and an area of redness and induration was found in the proximal jejunum. After further exploration, a penetrating needle-like object was identified and removed and the area of penetration was oversewn with absorbable suture. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home on postoperative day 3 with an improvement of his symptoms. CONCLUSION: While not uncommon, most cases of foreign body ingestion cause no significant symptoms, and may go unnoticed by patients entirely. However, when complications do arise, they can be serious and even life-threatening. As such it is of vital importance to have a high index of suspicion in susceptible patients presenting with characteristic symptoms.