On 9/5, doctors at Benh vien Buu dien successfully removed a foreign object—a pig hair approximately 2.5 cm long—that was lodged directly in a 47-year-old patient's tonsil. Doctor Trinh Thi Van, deputy head of examination department 1, described this as an uncommon type of foreign object. The patient reported throat pain and discomfort after consuming a pate baguette, and she was discharged feeling relieved once the hair was extracted. Doctors believe the pig hair was likely mixed in the meat she ate.
This incident highlights a growing concern, as Benh vien Buu dien has recently encountered numerous cases of foreign objects lodged in the digestive tract. These include a 27-year-old man who attempted to remove a fish bone himself at home, only to discover a 2 cm bone fragment deeply embedded in his tonsil five days later. Another case involved a 4-year-old child admitted after placing a plastic toy piece in their mouth, causing obstruction and pain.
Ingested foreign objects pose a serious health risk if not addressed promptly. According to medical professionals, such objects can migrate deeper into the esophagus or airway, leading to severe complications. For young children, foreign objects present an immediate danger, potentially causing acute airway obstruction that threatens their lives.
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Endoscopy revealed the foreign object was a pig hair. Photo: Benh vien Buu dien |
To prevent choking incidents and ensure safe handling, doctors offer the following advice: people should practice careful eating habits, focusing on their meal and avoiding talking or laughing while chewing, especially with foods that may contain bones like fish or chicken. Parents must closely supervise young children, preventing them from putting small objects into their mouths.
Crucially, individuals should never resort to folk remedies such as swallowing rice, drinking water, or sucking on vitamin C to dislodge a foreign object. "These actions can cause the object to become more deeply embedded in the mucous membrane, leading to further damage and increasing the difficulty of subsequent medical intervention," the doctor stated.
Thuy An
