A 41-year-old man is currently receiving dialysis and intensive care at Thong Nhat General Hospital after doctors surgically removed a 50 cm eel from his abdominal cavity. A hospital representative stated this on 24/5.

The patient was admitted yesterday afternoon with severe abdominal pain, a rapid heartbeat, and low blood pressure. Ultrasound and CT scans revealed a long foreign object and significant fluid in his abdominal cavity. Doctors diagnosed septic shock and peritonitis caused by a foreign object perforating a hollow organ.

During the surgery, the medical team successfully extracted the foreign object: an eel measuring approximately 50 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter. Surgeons then cleaned the affected area and sutured a 2x1 cm perforation found on the anterior aspect of the upper rectum, where the eel had passed through. The abdominal cavity was also thoroughly rinsed to remove contaminated fluid and prevent further infection.

According to the patient's family, the eel entered through the anus, though the reason for this action remains unclear.

Surgical team removing the eel from the patient's abdominal cavity. Photo: Thai Ha.

Phuoc Tuan