Chinese man lived eight years with chopstick stuck in throat
A resident of Dalian city in Liaoning province lived for eight years with a 12 cm long metal chopstick stuck in his throat. This case drew attention due to the unusual attitude of the man towards his injury and the long delay in seeking medical help.
Source SCMP
The man, surnamed Wang, accidentally swallowed the chopstick while eating and drinking alcohol. He felt pain but did not experience breathing difficulties, and his vocal cords functioned normally. Nevertheless, Wang refused surgery out of fear of invasive neck surgery.
He also suffers from alcohol dependence and explained the throat discomfort as a “normal reaction” to alcohol consumption. It was only this year, when the pain worsened significantly, that he sought hospital treatment. Doctors found the chopstick lodged in the soft palate area but confirmed no damage to vital organs.
The chopstick was removed successfully through a minimally invasive oral procedure. This case highlights the importance of not ignoring symptoms and seeking timely medical care, even when fear of surgery causes reluctance.
Such stories may help raise awareness about the dangers of foreign objects in the body and the benefits of prompt treatment going forward.
