Hapur Man Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Dozens of Spoons, Toothbrushes, and Pens
In a rare and alarming case, a 35-year-old man from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, underwent emergency surgery after doctors discovered dozens of spoons, toothbrushes, and pens lodged inside his stomach.
The patient, identified as Sachin, was admitted to a local de-addiction centre by his family in the hope of freeing him from substance abuse. However, instead of recovering, he developed a bizarre and dangerous habit that nearly cost him his life.
Doctors reported that Sachin became increasingly agitated after being admitted to the facility, where food was limited and strict restrictions were imposed on what his family could send him. Frustrated by these conditions, he began swallowing non-food objects such as broken steel spoons, toothbrushes, and pens. He reportedly used water to force the items down his throat.
His health took a serious turn when he started experiencing severe abdominal pain. He was rushed to the hospital, where medical scans revealed a shocking 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two pens inside his stomach.
Initially, doctors attempted to remove the foreign objects through endoscopy, but the large number and size of the items made the procedure impossible. The only viable option left was surgery.
A team of surgeons operated on Sachin and successfully removed all the foreign objects. He is currently recovering. Medical professionals described the case as one of the rarest they had ever encountered.
Experts emphasized that this episode highlights the psychological distress faced by some patients undergoing rehabilitation, especially in restrictive and unsupportive environments. Mental health specialists noted that compulsive swallowing of non-food items is often linked to serious psychological disorders.
Stress, trauma, and frustration during rehabilitation can exacerbate these conditions, leading patients to engage in extreme and dangerous behaviour like Sachin did.
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding the standards of care in de-addiction centres. Hospital authorities have called for a thorough investigation into the practices at the facility where Sachin was admitted.
They also urged reforms to ensure better psychological support and more patient-friendly conditions in rehabilitation centres. Authorities warned that neglect in such settings could push vulnerable patients toward life-threatening behaviour.
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