AIIMS Doctors Perform High-Risk Procedure to Remove Metal Spring from Infant's Esophagus
In a remarkable medical intervention, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi successfully removed a large metal spring that had become dangerously lodged in the food pipe of a 14-month-old girl from Yamunanagar. The case, described by medical professionals as exceptionally high-risk, involved a rigid object measuring approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in length and nearly 0.5 inches in diameter that had been embedded for several days.
From Unexplained Vomiting to Life-Threatening Emergency
The medical crisis began when the infant was brought to a private hospital's pediatric emergency department after experiencing persistent vomiting and poor oral intake for an entire week. With no clear history of foreign body ingestion—a common challenge with infants who cannot communicate what they might have swallowed—doctors ordered an X-ray examination. The imaging revealed the shocking presence of a metal spring deeply impacted in the upper esophagus.
Initial attempts at endoscopic removal at the private hospital proved unsuccessful due to the object's tight impaction and the significant ulceration and swelling of the esophageal lining. Recognizing the extreme danger posed by the spring's size, shape, and deep penetration—with substantial risk of tearing the delicate food pipe—medical professionals aborted the procedure and urgently referred the child to AIIMS for specialized care.
Complex Medical Assessment and Surgical Preparation
Upon arrival at AIIMS, the pediatric gastroenterology team conducted a thorough reassessment of the child's condition. The extensive mucosal injury and edema observed led them to defer further endoscopic attempts, transferring the case instead to the pediatric surgery unit under the leadership of Dr. Vishesh Jain.
Despite extensive experience in managing foreign body ingestion cases, AIIMS doctors emphasized that this particular situation presented exceptional risks. The prolonged impaction of the rigid spring had created severe swelling and ulceration of the esophagus, significantly increasing the possibility of esophageal perforation that might require emergency open surgery.
The medical team conducted detailed counseling sessions with the parents, explaining the complex nature of the procedure and potential complications. Both the surgical and anesthesia teams, the latter led by Dr. Parin, prepared meticulously for all possible contingencies before proceeding to the operating theatre.
Successful Endoscopic Removal and Recovery
In the operating theatre, endoscopic examination confirmed that the metal spring had become partially embedded into the esophageal wall. Using advanced endoscopic techniques, the surgical team carefully disimpacted the foreign object through gentle rotational movements, successfully extracting it without causing further damage.
A follow-up check endoscopy confirmed that no perforation had occurred during the delicate procedure. The child showed rapid improvement following the surgery, began oral feeds the very next day, and has been scheduled for discharge from the hospital.
Critical Warning About Household Dangers
This alarming case underscores the serious dangers posed by common household objects to young children. Medical professionals issued strong warnings that items such as springs, coins, batteries, and small toy parts must be kept completely out of children's reach.
Doctors emphasized that foreign body ingestion in infants often goes unnoticed since young children cannot communicate what they have swallowed. They advised parents and caregivers to watch for specific symptoms that should prompt immediate medical evaluation:
- Persistent vomiting without apparent cause
- Refusal to feed or difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling or saliva production
- Unexplained respiratory distress or coughing
- Sudden changes in behavior or discomfort
The successful outcome at AIIMS demonstrates both the critical importance of specialized pediatric care and the need for increased awareness about household safety measures to prevent such dangerous incidents from occurring in the first place.
