Precision met urgency at AIIMS New Delhi as pediatric specialists surgically liberated a 14-month-old from a 2-inch metal spring trapped in her food pipe. The Yamunanagar toddler’s accidental swallow triggered a medical emergency resolved through expert endoscopy.
Admitted after relentless vomiting and starvation-like symptoms over 48 hours, X-rays painted a grim picture: the robust spring, wider than a pen’s and spanning 1.5-2 inches, had caused esophageal ulcers.
Prof. Dr. Vishal Jain’s account reveals the prelude—a failed Dehradun attempt due to inflamed wounds necessitated AIIMS’s intervention. ‘We rotated it carefully using advanced tools to prevent perforation,’ he shared.
The operation’s success paved the way for rapid recuperation; normalcy returned with feeds resuming promptly. This episode serves as a clarion call for parental caution against ingestible dangers like springs, coins, batteries, and toy pieces.
Dr. Jain urged: Act swiftly on suspicions, enabling doctors to strategize per object size. AIIMS’s feat not only saved a young life but also exemplifies world-class pediatric surgery, blending technology, skill, and speed in the face of peril.