Man Tales: A Dangerous Bone-eating Mishap – Medical Intervention Saves the Day

Mr. Duc, a 45-year-old man, experienced trouble swallowing while eating rice and suspected that a bone was stuck in his throat. In an attempt to dislodge the bone with his tongue, he accidentally pierced his tongue with a piece of bone. After two weeks of discomfort and difficulty eating and drinking, he sought medical help at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

A minor surgery was performed to remove a 2cm long fish bone with a sharp tip, which had been stuck in Mr. Duc’s tongue for two weeks. The procedure involved making an incision on the side of the mouth to gain access to the back of the throat, then using surgical instruments to carefully remove the bone from its location.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, an ENT specialist, confirmed that Mr. Duc’s health was stable after the surgery and there were no complications of abscess or infection. Dr. Nguyen emphasized the importance of seeking medical help for foreign objects stuck in the throat as folk remedies could worsen the situation.

Foreign bodies, especially fish bones, getting stuck in the throat are common and can lead to complications if not promptly addressed. It is important to be cautious while eating foods that may cause choking, such as fish or fruits with seeds. If experiencing symptoms of choking on a foreign object, such as painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately