Chennai: In a remarkably complex surgery conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi government hospital on Friday, over 40 items were removed from a patients stomach after he had swallowed them over a period of a few months.
The man, identified as Jayakumar, 52, was undergoing treatment at the Institute of Medical Health in Ayanavaram when during a routine MRI for his disease was being conducted, he developed severe abdominal pain. Suspecting some health condition, a CT scan was taken during which multiple metallic objects in his stomach were revealed. Jayakumar was immediately rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital where he was admitted at the Institute of Gastroenterology.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, R. Jayanti, Dean, RGGGH said that the surgery was a very difficult one. “A team headed by doctor A R Venkateshwaran did the gastroscopy for Jayakumar. It was a complicated one as we had to ensure he does not choke or the metal objects do not go down the wrong passage in the throat,” she said.
The Dean also said that 40 objects, including keys, razors, coins and magnets were removed from the patient's stomach. “An endoscopy was performed and the medical gastroenterology team avoided a major surgery for the patient,” she said.
If the objects were not removed, the patient could have developed complications like perforation of the intestines, bleeding and sepsis, doctors say. “We screened the patient with fluoroscopy and ensured complete clearance of all foreign bodies from his digestive tract,” doctors said.
Meanwhile, Jayakumar who appeared hale and healthy after the surgery promised that he would not resort to swallowing metal objects again. He has been given counselling at the government hospital and will be sent back to the IMH.
