In a surprising medical case, a man in China lived with a steel spoon lodged in his esophagus for an entire year without serious discomfort.
Identified as “Mr. Zhang,” the man had swallowed the 8-inch (20 cm) spoon in 2017 during a dare, according to Xinjiang Meikuang General Hospital officials. Although the utensil became stuck in his esophagus, Zhang did not experience severe irritation and therefore delayed seeking medical help. However, his condition took a turn when a recent punch to his chest triggered severe chest pain and breathing difficulties, prompting him to visit the hospital.
On October 22, a team of three doctors performed a two-hour procedure to remove the spoon. Dr. Yu Xiwu, head of the hospital’s Department of Otolaryngology, explained that Zhang arrived in significant pain, clutching his chest. Upon examination, they found a metal object lodged in the upper part of the pharynx and esophagus. Using an endoscope, the doctors confirmed the presence of the mucus-covered spoon.
The spoon was retrieved after a procedure that lasted more than two hours
“I was astonished,” said Dr. Xiwu. “I’ve never encountered a case like this before.”
Given the potential life-threatening nature of the situation, doctors immediately extracted the spoon through Zhang’s mouth using forceps, the hospital reported.
While unusual, incidents of swallowing non-edible objects are not unheard of. People have accidentally ingested items such as lighters, dentures, and even garden slugs. In some extreme cases, people intentionally consume hazardous objects. In 2016, for example, a man swallowed 40 knives over two months, claiming he liked the taste of the metal.