In a rare and life-saving medical intervention, surgeons at Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital in Pimpri successfully removed seven sharp nails from a 19-year-old electrician’s body, five from his lungs and two from his stomach, after a workplace accident.
The young worker had been installing aluminium sheets for a false ceiling when he accidentally stepped on an exposed electric wire. The shock caused him to fall unconscious, during which he inhaled and swallowed several nails he had been holding in his mouth, a common practice at construction sites.
Unusual Symptoms Lead to Shocking Discovery
After regaining consciousness, the patient began coughing intensely and complained of severe chest pain and breathlessness. He was rushed to the hospital’s emergency room, where X-rays revealed five screws lodged deep in his lungs and two more in his digestive tract.
Thankfully, no major internal damage was reported.
A Challenging Yet Innovative Procedure
Led by Dr. M. S. Barthwal, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine. The team opted for a minimally invasive procedure using a flexible bronchoscope, avoiding general anaesthesia and open surgery. The procedure lasted three hours and required immense precision, especially as the screws were shifting due to the patient’s coughing.
The team successfully retrieved all five screws from the lungs using special medical tools. One screw accidentally slipped into the throat during the procedure and was later passed naturally. The other two screws from the stomach were also expelled naturally within 48 hours.
Medical Milestone in India
This case is being hailed as one of India’s rarest documented cases of multiple sharp metal objects removed from lungs using a flexible bronchoscope. It not only saved a life but also prevented the need for high-risk surgery, ensuring quicker recovery and lower costs.
“We’re proud of our team for managing such a high-risk case with such care and innovation,” said Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, Pro-Chancellor of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth.
“It’s a reminder of the dangerous work environments many labourers face, and the need for both safety and medical preparedness.”
