Five-Hour Surgery Saves Man Who Swallowed 29 Spoons, 21 Toothbrushes
Doctors at Devnandani Hospital in Hapur, India, were left stunned when a 40-year-old man arrived with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and weakness.
Scans revealed dozens of foreign objects lodged inside his stomach — including steel spoons, toothbrushes, and pens — prompting an emergency surgical intervention.
The incident occurred on September 17, when the man’s family rushed him to the hospital after noticing his deteriorating condition.
A surgical team led by Dr. Shyam Kumar performed a five-hour operation to remove a total of 50 items.
“When we performed the ultrasound, X-ray and CT scan, we were stunned to see metallic and plastic objects inside his stomach. I have never seen so many foreign bodies in one patient,” Dr. Kumar told reporters.
Hospital staff revealed that the patient had recently been admitted to a de-addiction centre in Ghaziabad.
Upset by being left there, he began swallowing household items in protest.
“I would pick them up and go to the washroom to swallow them,” the man admitted after surgery.
Doctors discovered that the heads of the spoons and toothbrushes had been broken off before ingestion, adding complexity to the case.
During the procedure, surgeons retrieved 28 spoon parts, 21 headless toothbrush pieces, and two pens.
The patient is currently under observation and recovering steadily.
Gistreel reported that the rare case has drawn widespread attention from both medical and mental health professionals.
Mental health experts believe the man may be suffering from pica disorder — a psychological condition characterized by the compulsive consumption of non-food items.
While pica is more commonly seen in children, it can also affect adults, particularly those dealing with stress, substance abuse, or nutritional deficiencies.
In this case, specialists suggest that emotional distress linked to his stay at the rehabilitation centre may have triggered the dangerous behavior.
The incident has sparked concern across India’s medical community, highlighting the urgent need for integrated psychiatric care in addiction treatment facilities.
As the patient continues to recover, doctors are recommending a full psychological evaluation to prevent recurrence and ensure long-term safety.
