Delhi: Live Cockroach Removed from 23-Year-Old’s Intestine

Doctors at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj extracted the 3 centimeter-long insect while it was still alive, and averted a potential disaster. for the young man

New Delhi: In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, successfully removed a live cockroach from the small intestine of a 23-year-old man, potentially saving his life. The procedure, which took only 10 minutes, was carried out using advanced endoscopic techniques.

The young man had been suffering from severe stomach pain and indigestion for 2-3 days when he was admitted to the hospital. Dr Shubham Vats, Senior Consultant in the Gastroenterology Department, led the medical team that diagnosed the issue through an Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. During the procedure, the team discovered a live cockroach, measuring 3 centimeters, lodged in the patient's small intestine.

“We performed the surgery immediately to remove the cockroach, as its presence in the intestine could have proved fatal,” said Dr Vats. The doctors acted quickly, using a specialized dual-channel endoscope to safely extract the insect. One channel was used to infuse air and water, while the other was utilised for suction. By activating the suction channel, the medical team was able to pull the cockroach out of the patient's body.

The rapid intervention was crucial, since delaying the procedure could have led to severe complications, including infections. Dr. Vats believes the patient might have accidentally swallowed the cockroach while eating or it could have entered his body while he was sleeping. "Had the cockroach not been removed in time, it could have caused a serious infection, which would have been life-threatening," he added.

The surgery’s success underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in such rare cases. The patient, whose condition has since stabilised, is expected to make a full recovery. This unusual case highlights the importance of timely medical attention, especially in situations where foreign objects are involved in the digestive system.