In a remarkable display of medical precision, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi successfully extracted a 2-inch long metal spring from the food pipe of a 14-month-old girl on Thursday. The toddler, hailing from Yamunanagar, had accidentally swallowed the hazardous object, which posed a severe threat to her life.
The child was rushed to the hospital after suffering persistent vomiting and being unable to eat or drink for two full days. Initial X-rays revealed the sharp metal spring lodged in her upper esophagus, accompanied by ulcerations on the mucosal lining. What made the situation even more dire was the spring’s unusual thickness—nearly half an inch wide, far bulkier than a standard pen spring.
Professor Dr. Vishal Jain from the Pediatric Surgery Department led the high-stakes procedure. Speaking exclusively, Dr. Jain explained that an earlier attempt to remove the spring endoscopically at a private hospital in Dehradun failed due to inflammation and wounds in the esophagus, prompting an urgent transfer to AIIMS.
Utilizing advanced endoscopic technology in the operating room, Dr. Jain and his team meticulously maneuvered and rotated the spring to extract it without perforating the delicate esophageal wall. The surgery was a resounding success, with the child’s condition improving rapidly post-operation. By the next day, she was feeding normally, a heartwarming turnaround for the relieved family.
This life-saving intervention underscores the critical importance of immediate medical attention in cases of foreign body ingestion. Dr. Jain advised parents to keep small, dangerous items like springs, batteries, coins, and toy parts out of children’s reach. ‘If ingestion is suspected, rush to a doctor without delay,’ he emphasized, highlighting how the object’s size determines the treatment approach.
AIIMS continues to set benchmarks in pediatric care, proving once again why it remains India’s premier medical institution for complex cases.