In a harrowing medical incident, a 31-year-old Indian man was subjected to emergency surgery after inserting a live eel into his rectum, leading to life-threatening internal injuries.

According to Daily Mail, doctors in Vietnam removed a 26-inch eel from a man's rectum after he inserted it, causing significant pain as it attempted to chew its way out of his large intestine.

The bizarre ordeal began on July 27, when the man, experiencing excruciating pain and distress, sought medical help at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Concerned doctors immediately performed X-ray scans, which revealed the shocking presence of a large eel within his digestive tract.

An unexpected discovery further complicated efforts to retrieve the eel. Surgeons found a lemon lodged alongside the eel in the man's rectum, which had to be surgically removed along with the eel through an abdominal procedure.

The surgery revealed severe damage to the man's large intestine, necessitating immediate and complex medical intervention to clean the leaked fecal matter and address the perforation caused by the eel.

Surgical Intervention to Remove Eel and Lemon

The operating room scene was urgent, as medical staff worked diligently to extract both the eel and the lemon from the patient. Their successful removal ended the immediate threat to the patient's health but began a long road to recovery.

Post-surgery, the hospital's Deputy Director of the Center for Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dr. Le Nhat Huy, emphasized the grave risks involved in such extreme acts.

The eel, an animal capable of surviving in anaerobic conditions, posed a significant danger by perforating the digestive tract.

Dr. Huy also remarked on the variety of objects previously removed from patients at the hospital, noting that while they had encountered many unusual cases, this was the first involving a live animal attempting to burrow through a human intestine.

Recovery and Permanent Consequences

Despite the successful removal of the eel and lemon, the ordeal left the patient with lasting consequences. He now requires a permanently installed colostomy bag, impacting his quality of life indefinitely.

Dr. Pham Manh Hung, another medical professional at the scene, detailed the rarity and complexity of the case. He pointed out the high risk of infection in such situations and the meticulous approach needed to ensure the surgery was performed safely.

The hospital has withheld the patient’s identity following standard privacy protocols, only releasing details of the incident to warn others of the potential dangers of similar actions.

Why This Story Matters

This shocking incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that can result from dangerous and ill-advised actions. It highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when faced with such situations, as delays can lead to life-threatening complications.

The story also underscores the critical role played by medical professionals in handling complex and unusual cases, emphasizing the need for their expertise and dedication to saving lives.

Furthermore, it raises awareness about the potential risks associated with inserting foreign objects into one's body, discouraging others from engaging in similar risky behaviors.

Conclusion

The successful surgical intervention at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, ultimately saved the patient's life, but not without lasting consequences. The man's decision to insert a live eel and a lemon into his rectum resulted in severe internal injuries, requiring emergency surgery and leaving him with a permanent colostomy bag.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of seeking medical help promptly and the dedication of healthcare professionals in handling even the most bizarre and challenging cases.