Teen Swallows 20cm Toothbrush, Undergoes Risky Endoscopic Procedure to Remove It

In recent news, a 17-year-old boy in Nanjing, China, had a harrowing experience when he accidentally swallowed a 20-centimeter-long toothbrush during a bout of emotional excitement. It wasn't until two days later, when he began experiencing severe abdominal pain, that his parents took him to the hospital. Doctors warned that if they were unable to retrieve the toothbrush, he would need emergency surgery. The elongated, hard toothbrush had been lodged in his intestines for 48 hours, presenting a delicate and challenging situation for the medical team.

Social media users have been in disbelief over how the teenager managed to swallow such a long and hard object. Some users wondered if the toothbrush had caused a laceration in his throat. Others questioned if it might have been mistaken for food due to its cylindrical shape. However, the most pressing concern was how to retrieve the toothbrush without causing further harm to the young patient.

Faced with this complex predicament, doctors at the hospital brainstormed various solutions. Eventually, they opted to create a makeshift tool called a "net basket" to assist in the endoscopic procedure. After an intense hour of work, the doctors successfully extracted the entire toothbrush from the teenager's intestines, much to the relief of the medical team and the boy's anxious family.

The video showing the toothbrush removal operation captured the attention of Chinese netizens, who took to social media to express their disbelief and astonishment. Many users marveled at the skill and ingenuity of the doctors who were able to remove the toothbrush without surgery. Some even joked about the potential benefits of the toothbrush's cleanliness after being inside the teen's digestive system.

While this unusual and dramatic case made headlines across China, it also served as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended, particularly during emotional situations. Accidents and injuries can happen at any moment, and parents were urged to be vigilant about potential hazards and dangers in their homes.

In line with this, a series of public service announcements were shared on social media, discussing various emergency situations involving children and offering advice on how to respond in each scenario. These tips included first aid techniques, handling ingested dangerous objects, and dealing with burns and cuts.

Chinese media outlets have also seized the opportunity to provide safety tips for parents and guardians, particularly during this time when children are spending more time indoors due to the ongoing pandemic. Parents were advised to keep potentially dangerous items out of reach of children, to ensure that all electrical appliances are well-maintained and fitted with safety features, and to exercise caution when using potentially hazardous household items, such as kitchen knives and power tools.

In addition, the story of the 17-year-old boy has highlighted the importance of teaching children about the dangers of playing with or ingesting non-food objects. Many parents have shared their experiences of dealing with similar incidents involving their own children, offering advice on how to handle such situations and when to seek professional medical assistance.

As the news of the toothbrush swallowing incident spreads across the country, it is hoped that this unusual and cautionary tale will serve as a valuable reminder to parents and guardians of the importance of vigilance and safety precautions when it comes to protecting the well-being of their children.