11-Year-Old Boy Swallows 100-Gram Gold Bar, Undergoes Successful Surgery

The boy, Xiao Qian, felt a slight heaviness in his abdomen but did not experience severe pain or discomfort after swallowing the gold bar. He was immediately taken to the emergency department of Suzhou University Children's Hospital by his parents. X-ray examination revealed a high-density metal object lodged in his digestive tract, and the doctor diagnosed him with "foreign body in the digestive tract". Since the gold bar was relatively large, there was a risk of intestinal obstruction and mucosal damage.

The emergency doctor decided to admit Xiao Qian to the general surgery department for observation and possible treatment. After admission, Xiao Qian did not show any symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea, or vomiting. The doctor decided to try conservative treatment first, administering laxatives to see if the gold bar could be passed out naturally. However, after two days of observation, the gold bar still had not been passed, and a follow-up X-ray showed that the object's position had not changed, suggesting it might be fixed or lodged in the intestine, posing a risk of obstruction and perforation.

Given Xiao Qian's young age and weak intestinal function, traditional surgery would have caused significant trauma. Therefore, the hospital's general surgery department decided to use "endoscopic removal of foreign body in the digestive tract" to intervene. During the procedure, Dr. Zhu Zhenwei and Dr. Zhou Xiaogang skillfully controlled the endoscope, overcoming the difficulties posed by the large size, high density, and smooth surface of the gold bar. They successfully removed the 100-gram gold bar in just half an hour.

The incident sparked a range of reactions on social media, from astonishment to concern. Many were bewildered by how a solid object like a gold bar could be swallowed by a child, raising questions about the size and shape of the bar and the circumstances under which it happened. Others used the incident as an opportunity to discuss parental responsibility and education, suggesting that parents need to be more vigilant about the objects their children play with and ensure they understand the risks of putting non-food items in their mouths.

Experts, including child safety advocates and medical professionals, weighed in on the topic, sharing insights into the potential health risks associated with swallowing foreign objects and offering advice on how to prevent such incidents. They emphasized the need for close adult supervision, especially around young children, and the importance of educating children about what is and is not safe to put in their mouths. The incident highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to child safety that involves not just parents but also schools and communities. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the incident was not just a freak accident but a call to action for a more comprehensive approach to child safety, one that involves parents, schools, and the wider community in educating children about safety and risk prevention.