Since we were kids, we were told not to simply swallow foreign objects lest it leads to dire consequences, let alone objects that are highly flammable.
A man in China had doctors in a bind after they discovered a lighter inside his stomach, leading them to resort to a creative tactic to extract the item out.
Man admits to swallowing lighter 30 years ago
According to Sin Chew Daily, the man surnamed Deng from Chengdu had experienced minor stomach pains that could be assuaged with medicine.
But when the discomfort later evolved into persistent abdominal bloating, he went to the hospital for a gastroscopy.
Upon an examination, doctors discovered that a 7cm-long lighter was inside the Deng’s stomach, prompting him to reveal that he had swallowed it over 30 years ago.
It was probably in 1991 or 1992 when I was drinking with friends and we made a bet. They dared me to swallow the lighter and I did so with no second thoughts.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time as I believe my body would expel the lighter out naturally but it ended up staying there,” he recounted.
Doctors use condom to extract lighter out
At first, doctors tried using retrieval forceps to remove the lighter from Deng’s stomach, but it proved to be tricky due to its smooth surface.
They eventually resorted to using a condom by inserting it into the stomach using the gastroscope and slowly enclosing the entire lighter inside it before using forceps to pull it out through Deng’s mouth.
Fortunately, this was successful and the entire procedure took a total of 20 minutes.
The doctors said lighters contain flammable gas, which can cause perforation or lead to life-endangering situations if it leaks or reacts with stomach acid.
They also urge those in similar circumstances to seek medical attention promptly.
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