New Delhi: A 30-year-old man accidentally swallowed an 8 cm-long metallic spoon while drinking water, leading to a rare and urgent medical situation. The object became lodged in the upper part of his small intestine and required immediate intervention.
He was successfully treated at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, where doctors performed an emergency upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and removed the spoon in under 30 minutes. The patient was discharged in a stable condition the following day.
The patient had initially visited several super-specialty hospitals in North Delhi before being referred to the emergency department at Fortis Shalimar Bagh. On arrival, he was found to be vitally stable. Diagnostic imaging, including an abdominal X-ray, confirmed the presence of a metallic spoon lodged in the upper part of the small intestine.
An emergency upper GI endoscopy was performed under anaesthesia, during which the surgical team used forceps to carefully retrieve the spoon from the patient’s stomach. The patient was kept under observation for 24 hours and remained stable throughout, eventually being discharged without any complications.
Speaking about the rare case, Dr Ramesh Garg, Senior Director & HOD, Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, said, "This was an extremely rare and challenging case. Ingesting a metallic object like a spoon can lead to serious complications, especially when it gets stuck in the upper part of the small intestine. Timely diagnosis and intervention were critical."
He further added, "Our team performed an emergency upper GI endoscopy under anaesthesia, and with utmost precision, we were able to retrieve the 8cm-long spoon without causing any internal injury. The patient was closely monitored post-procedure and was discharged in a stable condition. This case highlights the importance of quick decision-making and multidisciplinary coordination in handling complex gastrointestinal emergencies."
Mr Deepak Narang, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, added, "This case highlights Fortis Shalimar Bagh’s clinical expertise and the hospital’s ability to respond swiftly to rare and complex medical emergencies. The successful removal of an 8 cm metallic spoon through endoscopy in just 30 minutes is a testament to our advanced medical infrastructure, the skill of our specialists, and the strength of our emergency response protocols. We remain committed to delivering world-class care with precision, speed, and compassion."
