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New Delhi: The tragic experience of a 26-year-old man at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, India brings to light an extraordinary medical case. Suffering from stomach ache and continuous vomiting for more than 20 days, the patient’s condition left his family and local doctors shocked. It was only after a detailed investigation by a team led by Dr Tarun Mittal that the surprising cause was revealed: the young man had swallowed a total of 39 coins and 37 magnets, under the mistaken belief that the zinc from the coins would contribute to body-building.
The incident highlighted when a 26-year-old patient came to the emergency ward of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with complaints of repeated vomiting and abdominal pain for more than 20 days. The patient was also not able to eat anything.
Upon admission, the medical team used a series of X-rays and CT scans, which revealed a significant blockage in the patient’s intestines. The pictures revealed a shocking picture, in which dozens of metal objects were deposited inside his digestive system. Dr. Mittal and his team faced a difficult task, as the presence of magnets added a layer of complexity to the situation. The magnets had caused two loops of small intestine to adhere and destroy due to their magnetic attraction, presenting an unusual and challenging case for surgical intervention.
The surgery was complex, requiring the removal of foreign objects from various parts of the digestive tract, including both the small intestine and stomach. The operation was successful with all 39 coins and 37 magnets being carefully extracted. A post-operative X-ray confirmed complete removal of these objects, reflecting the meticulous efforts of the medical team.
The patient’s discharge in healthy condition after seven days was a testament to the expertise and dedication of the doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. This case not only highlights the dangers of consuming exotic substances but also highlights the critical importance of addressing underlying psychiatric conditions.
On probing the patient, he said that he had ingested the coins and magnets because he thought that zinc helps in body-building. The coins contained zinc and he ingested the magnets so that the coins would stay in the intestine to facilitate more absorption of zinc.
The team of doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital included Dr Tarun Mittal, Dr Ashish Dey and Dr Anmol Ahuja (consultants); Dr Vikram Singh (clinical assistant); Dr Tanushree and Dr Karthik (residents).
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced in treating patients with psychiatric disorders, particularly those who may engage in harmful behaviors such as eating non-food items. This underlines the need for a multidisciplinary approach to health care, combining the expertise of mental health professionals with medical and surgical specialists.
