This Man Lived 52 Years With a Toothbrush Inside Him
In one of the most unusual medical cases in recent years, doctors in China discovered a toothbrush lodged inside a man’s small intestine 52 years after he accidentally swallowed it as a child.
This case has not only stunned doctors but also captured public attention due to its rarity and surprising outcome.
The Accident That Was Never Reported
The patient, a 64-year-old man from Anhui province, revealed that he had accidentally swallowed a toothbrush at the age of 12. Out of fear and embarrassment, he chose not to tell anyone—not even his parents.
At the time, he assumed the toothbrush would simply “dissolve” or pass through his system without causing any harm. For the next five decades, he lived a normal life, never experiencing any symptoms or health issues linked to the incident.
Unusual Symptoms Appear Decades Later
Fast forward to the present day more than 50 years later the man began experiencing strange sensations in his abdomen, described as mild discomfort and occasional cramps. Concerned about the changes, he visited a local hospital for evaluation.
Doctors Make a Shocking Discovery
After performing abdominal scans and internal imaging, doctors were shocked to find a foreign object lodged deep inside the small intestine. Further investigation revealed the object was a 17-centimetre-long toothbrush still completely intact after more than half a century in the body.
Successful Removal by Endoscopy
A team of doctors quickly scheduled an endoscopic procedure, a minimally invasive technique that allows doctors to access the digestive tract using a flexible tube with a camera. The operation took about 80 minutes, and the toothbrush was safely removed without any complications.
How Did the Body Tolerate It for So Long?
According to Dr. Zhou, one of the attending physicians, toothbrushes and other foreign objects pose serious risks when swallowed. These items can rotate or press against the intestinal wall, potentially causing:
- Tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Perforation (tearing of the intestines)
- Severe infection or even death
In this rare case, however, the toothbrush had become lodged in a curved section of the small intestine, where it remained surprisingly still. This unusual positioning likely prevented it from moving around and damaging nearby tissue, which may have saved the patient from serious harm.
One of the Longest-Retained Foreign Objects on Record
Hospital officials confirmed that this is one of the longest-surviving foreign objects ever found inside a patient’s digestive system. Both the size of the object and the length of time it remained in the body without causing major symptoms are extremely rare in modern medicine.
Conclusion
The human body can sometimes adapt in remarkable ways but it should never be left to deal with foreign objects alone. If something doesn’t feel right, see a doctor. Early medical care can prevent dangerous outcomes and save lives.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
