0
0
Hyderabad: In a remarkable medical case, doctors at a hospital in Hyderabad successfully removed a pen cap from the lungs of a 26-year-old man, who had unknowingly inhaled it as a child. The patient, a resident of Karimnagar, had been suffering from a persistent cough and unexplained weight loss, which eventually led him to seek medical attention.
According to Dr. Shubhakar Nadella, Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonologist at KIMS Hospital, the patient’s condition worsened significantly over the past 10 days, making it difficult for him to sleep.
“When the patient arrived, we conducted a CT scan, which showed a lump-like structure inside his lungs. Initially, we suspected an obstruction causing the persistent cough. However, during the procedure, we discovered that it was actually a pen cap lodged inside,” said Dr. Nadella.
The mystery behind the foreign object was solved when the patient’s elder brother recalled an incident from 21 years ago. At the age of five, the patient had accidentally swallowed a pen cap. At that time, a medical examination had found nothing abnormal, leading doctors to assume that the object had naturally passed through the body.
The procedure to remove the pen cap took nearly three hours. Using a flexible bronchoscopy, doctors carefully cleared the tissue buildup, lymph nodes, and muscle formations that had developed around the object over the years.
“Once the surrounding area was cleared, we successfully extracted the pen cap. The prolonged presence of the foreign body had caused lung damage, but we managed to restore the affected area with antibiotic treatment. The patient has now fully recovered,” Dr. Nadella confirmed.
He emphasized the importance of early medical intervention in such cases. “Leaving foreign objects inside the body for an extended period is extremely dangerous. If the patient had delayed medical treatment further, the lung tissue could have been completely damaged, requiring surgical removal of the affected section.”
Dr. Nadella also advised parents to be vigilant about what children put in their mouths. If a child accidentally swallows any object, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent severe complications.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you suspect a foreign object ingestion or experience unexplained health symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. The information provided is based on reported medical cases and should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare consultation.
