Bhubaneswar: A routine day at home turned into a medical emergency for a 10-month-old baby from Rourkela after he accidentally swallowed a sharp metallic pin, which lodged in his food pipe and caused repeated vomiting.The baby’s parents rushed him to KIMS Bhubaneswar on Aug 18. Investigations and imaging revealed that the pin was stuck in the upper part of the food pipe, close to the throat. Doctors said the pin posed life-threatening risk as it could have pierced the food pipe wall.Given the infant’s age and the delicate nature of the case, a multidisciplinary team from the ENT, gastroenterology and anaesthesiology departments planned a procedure. Under general anaesthesia, doctors used an advanced endoscopic technique to remove the foreign object safely. The pin was first pushed into the stomach and then retrieved through the mouth using a flexible endoscope passed through the food pipe.The procedure was completed without complications. The baby was later taken off breathing support and kept under observation in the paediatric intensive care Unit for a day before making steady recovery.Doctors said prompt diagnosis and timely intervention were crucial in preventing serious injury. They said ingestion of sharp objects by children can quickly turn life-threatening if not treated immediately.
