A 31-year-old Indian national experienced a life-threatening medical emergency after inserting a live eel into his anus. The unusual and dangerous incident, which took place around noon, resulted in severe abdominal pain and required immediate medical attention. The man was swiftly taken to Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, where doctors faced a challenging and unprecedented situation.
Discovery of the Eel
Upon arrival at the hospital's emergency department, the patient exhibited intense abdominal pain. Initial diagnostic tests, including imaging and ultrasound, revealed the presence of a radiopaque object in his abdominal cavity. The X-ray images indicated a large foreign object lying horizontally from left to right, suggesting the presence of the eel.
Dr. Le Nhat Huy, deputy director of the Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgery Centre, reported that the eel was approximately 65 cm long and 10 cm in circumference. The hospital promptly assembled a team of endoscopy experts and anesthesiologists to perform a colonoscopy in an attempt to remove the eel through the anus.
🇻🇳LIVE EEL REMOVED FROM MAN'S INTESTINES AFTER BEING INSERTED ANALLY
Vietnamese doctors removed a 2-foot-long live eel from a man's abdomen after it chewed through his intestines.
The 31-year-old Indian national was admitted to Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi with severe abdominal… pic.twitter.com/fHegkH1uP9
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 2, 2024
🇻🇳LIVE EEL REMOVED FROM MAN'S INTESTINES AFTER BEING INSERTED ANALLY
Vietnamese doctors removed a 2-foot-long live eel from a man's abdomen after it chewed through his intestines.
The 31-year-old Indian national was admitted to Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi with severe abdominal… pic.twitter.com/fHegkH1uP9
Complications and Surgical Interventions
The colonoscopy, however, was unsuccessful. As the patient's condition worsened and his pain intensified, the medical team decided to proceed with open abdominal surgery. Upon opening the abdomen, they discovered the live eel had caused significant damage by biting through the patient's rectum and colon. Additionally, they found a lemon lodged within the rectum.
The surgical team acted quickly to remove both the eel and the lemon. They then meticulously sutured the perforations in the rectum and colon caused by the eel's bites. Given the extent of the contamination from fecal matter and the high risk of infection, the doctors performed a colostomy. This procedure diverted fecal matter away from the sutured areas to prevent further complications and allowed the damaged tissues to heal properly.
Post-Surgical Recovery and Medical Warnings
Post-surgery, the patient remained under close observation to monitor for any signs of infection or other complications. The medical team noted the eel's ability to survive in anaerobic conditions and its capacity to bite through the gastrointestinal tract, which made the situation particularly hazardous.
Dr. Huy issued a stern warning against the use of live animals or other objects inserted into the anus in search of intense sensations. He highlighted the severe and unpredictable health risks associated with such practices. While Viet Duc Hospital had previously handled cases involving various foreign objects, such as glass cups and sex toys, this incident was unprecedented due to the involvement of a live animal.
Conclusion
This alarming case underscores the importance of caution and awareness regarding the insertion of foreign objects into the body. Medical professionals stress the need for public education to prevent similar incidents in the future. The swift and expert response of the medical team at Viet Duc Hospital was crucial in managing this complex and dangerous situation, ultimately saving the patient's life.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of risky behaviors and the critical role of emergency medical intervention in addressing unusual and life-threatening situations.