Doctors in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, successfully removed an alarming number of foreign objects from the stomach of a patient. The 35-year-old man, identified as Sachin from Hapur city, underwent a complex surgery that lasted several hours. Medical teams retrieved 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two small pans from his stomach.
Sachin was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Scans revealed multiple sharp objects lodged inside, putting his life in serious danger. Doctors initially attempted to remove the items using endoscopy. However, the sheer number of objects made surgery the only viable option. The procedure was described as challenging but ultimately successful, with all items removed safely.
Why the Patient Swallowed Foreign Objects
Sachin had been undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center for drug addiction. According to his own account, he began swallowing spoons, toothbrushes, and pans out of anger, frustration, and hunger. He claimed that food at the center was often limited to basic items such as vegetables and rotis. Feeling dissatisfied, he would steal spoons, break them in the bathroom, and swallow the pieces with water.
Doctors explained that such unusual habits are often linked to underlying mental health conditions. Swallowing sharp objects poses life-threatening risks, including internal bleeding, infection, and perforation of the stomach or intestines. Without timely surgery, Sachin’s condition could have turned fatal.
Medical Perspective on the Case
The surgical team noted that swallowing non-food items is sometimes associated with disorders such as pica or schizophrenia. It may also occur in individuals experiencing extreme stress, addiction, or psychiatric conditions. Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of addressing both the physical consequences and psychological causes in such cases.
The patient is now recovering under close medical supervision. Doctors stressed that psychological counseling and continued monitoring will be essential to prevent a recurrence of this dangerous behavior.
Not the First Such Incident in India
India has witnessed similar shocking medical cases in the past. In 2022, doctors in Muzaffarnagar removed 63 spoons from the stomach of another patient undergoing drug rehabilitation. In 2019, surgeons in Himachal Pradesh operated on a man with schizophrenia, extracting a spoon, toothbrush, knife, screw, and even a doorknob from his stomach.
Such incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger mental health support and awareness across rehabilitation centers. While medical teams continue to save lives in these extraordinary situations, experts stress that prevention is equally critical. Ensuring patients receive adequate care, nutrition, and psychological counseling can reduce the risk of such dangerous behaviors.
Lessons from the Case
This unusual medical episode serves as a reminder of the close link between physical health and mental well-being. Rehabilitation programs must be designed not only to treat addiction but also to address the emotional and psychological needs of patients. The Ghaziabad case reinforces the need for comprehensive healthcare approaches that integrate both medical and mental health treatment.
For now, Sachin’s survival is credited to timely surgical intervention. His case, however, stands as an alarming example of how untreated psychological distress can manifest in life-threatening ways.
