On March 20, a 34-year-old man from Lang Son found himself in a distressing situation as he sought medical attention for severe abdominal pain. Unable to effectively communicate his discomfort, healthcare professionals resorted to diagnostic procedures.
Through an X-ray and ultrasound, they discovered a foreign object in his abdomen, as well as indications of intestinal perforation and peritonitis. With a sense of urgency, surgeons promptly performed an operation to remove the unidentified item and prevent further harm to the intestines. During the procedure, the medical team made a surprising discovery, a live 12-inch eel lodged in the patient’s rectum.
Physicians diagnosed the man with intestinal perforation and peritonitis caused by the eel. Intestinal perforation, characterized by a breach in the bowel wall, can lead to severe complications stemming from various underlying conditions. Trauma, inflammation, infection, malignancy, ischemia, and obstruction are among the common causes of perforation. Timely identification and immediate intervention are essential in averting the morbidity and possible mortality associated with peritonitis and its systemic consequences triggered by the leakage of intestinal contents.
