The patient has since recovered and been discharged after intensive treatment. Earlier, an internal examination revealed multiple mucosal erosions and hematomas in his bowel after the creature was removed.

According to Taizhou Evening News, the man was admitted to the emergency room suffering from severe abdominal cramping pain for over 10 hours. Initially, due to embarrassment, he avoided explaining the cause, making diagnosis difficult for doctors. After medical staff persistently questioned him, the patient admitted to self-inserting a live eel into his body via the anus.

Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed the eel was still struggling and burrowing deep from the transverse colon to the descending colon, causing the intestinal wall to swell. Delayed treatment of this condition could lead to colon perforation, leakage of contaminants causing abdominal infection (peritonitis), and septic shock.

Illustration: Am730.

The Gastroenterology Department immediately held an emergency consultation with the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department. The specialists agreed to prioritize endoscopic removal of the foreign object via natural orifices. An open surgery team was also prepared to be on standby in case endoscopy failed or the intestinal wall was already ruptured. The team then coordinated precisely, safely extracting the live eel, which was over half a meter long, without needing open abdominal surgery.

Doctor Huang Qin, Head of the Gastroenterology Department at Enze Hospital, warned the public against inserting any foreign objects into the rectum. In similar incidents, patients should overcome embarrassment and immediately seek medical attention at the nearest facility, reporting truthfully. Any attempts at self-treatment at home only worsen injuries and increase the risk of death.

By Binh Minh (According to Taizhou Evening News, LTN)