An 80-year-old man in India underwent a rare and high-risk surgical procedure after accidentally swallowing a toothpick while cleaning his teeth. The unusual incident left him in severe pain and unable to swallow food for nearly a week, prompting his family to seek urgent medical help.
Doctors at MKCG Hospital in Berhampur confirmed that a 9-inch toothpick had lodged in the man’s oesophagus, creating a potentially life-threatening condition.
The patient was admitted in critical discomfort, and his case was considered complex due to his advanced age and existing high blood pressure, which increased the risks associated with anaesthesia.
A specialised ENT surgical team took charge of the procedure, which lasted almost an hour. Despite the challenges, the doctors successfully removed the sharp object without causing additional damage to the oesophagus or surrounding tissues.
The hospital administration later reported that the surgery was conducted with extreme caution, ensuring the patient’s safety throughout.
According to medical staff, the man’s family had initially sought treatment at other healthcare centres but did not receive a successful outcome. In desperation, they even attempted to remove the toothpick themselves, which only aggravated the patient’s condition.
Eventually, he was brought to MKCG Hospital, where doctors performed a thorough examination before deciding on immediate surgical intervention.
The successful operation was described as a rare case in medical practice due to the unusual size of the foreign object and the patient’s fragile health.
Post-surgery, the man was placed under close medical supervision, and his recovery has been steady. Hospital officials confirmed that his condition is now stable, and he is gradually regaining the ability to eat and swallow without discomfort.
The case highlights the dangers of self-treatment in medical emergencies and the importance of timely expert care.
