Doctors in India have removed 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two pens from the stomach of a patient in what has been described as one of the most shocking medical cases in recent years.
The rare surgery took place in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, after the man, who hails from Bulandshahr, complained of severe abdominal pain.
Patient Admitted in Critical Condition
According to Times of India, the patient had earlier been admitted to a de-addiction centre in Ghaziabad but was rushed to the hospital when his condition worsened.
An ultrasound scan revealed multiple metallic objects lodged in his stomach. With no time to waste, a surgical team led by Dr. Shyam Kumar performed an emergency operation.
Doctors Shocked by Findings
“The surgery was as complex as it was rare,” doctors said. Each object had to be carefully removed one by one to avoid damaging vital organs.
Dr. Kumar described the discovery as “shocking” due to the sheer number of items. Despite the high risk, the surgery was successful, and the man survived.
Patient’s Confession
The patient later confessed that he swallowed the objects deliberately.
He said he felt mistreated and deprived of food at the rehabilitation centre. Out of frustration, he resorted to swallowing objects as an act of self-harm.
“He admitted it was a desperate attempt to harm himself,” hospital officials told local reporters.
The patient has since been discharged and is recovering under close medical supervision.
Similar Cases in the Past
This is not the first time such a case has been recorded in India.
In 2022, doctors in Muzaffarnagar removed 63 spoons from a drug addict’s stomach.
In 2019, another man in Himachal Pradesh underwent surgery where doctors recovered screwdrivers, knives, toothbrushes, and even a door latch from his stomach.
The Hapur case has drawn wide attention globally, with many health experts pointing to the dangers of untreated mental health issues.
They stress that early psychological intervention is key to preventing extreme self-harm.