:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_71a8fe14ac6d40bd993eb59f7203fe6f/internal_photos/bs/2023/5/Q/Bsoru2T7GwY9s6ozqOrQ/gettyimages-1459117095.jpg "Doctors find an octopus stuck in the throat of a patient in Asia | News")
Doctors must be prepared to witness many strange and rare cases. No wonder, last week, health professionals were surprised after discovering that the discomfort a Singaporean man was feeling was caused by an octopus stuck in his throat.
according to Article published by the New York PostThe patient, who had not been identified, had realized something was wrong after he began vomiting after eating a meal containing molluscum. The man also had swallowing problems, which led him to the hospital emergency room Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Doctors opted to perform a CT scan, which revealed a hyperdensity mass in the man’s esophagus. This led him to undergo an upper GI endoscopy. While examining the digestive system, it was found that the tentacled octopus had settled five centimeters from the boundary between the esophagus and the stomach.
After initial attempts to withdraw the molluscum failed, doctors chose to navigate the endoscope through the octopus into the stomach and push it back. Then they used tweezers to grab the creature’s head and remove it completely. The article notes that the patient recovered well after surgery and was discharged from the hospital two days later.
The article states that food impediments are among the most common problems faced by Tan Tock Seng Hospital. According to the reports of the unit’s doctors, the items move spontaneously in 80% to 90% of cases. However, laparoscopic intervention is required in 10% to 20% of cases, while 1% of them require surgery.
However, this is not the first time that there has been a shortage of shellfish. In 2016, a two-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, required hospitalization after getting an octopus stuck in his throat during a Japanese eating experience that didn’t go as expected.
In South Korea, for example, there are about six deaths per year linked to the consumption of snakji, a dish considered a delicacy consisting of live octopus. These deaths occur due to the choking hazard caused by the octopus suckers sticking to the walls of the consumer’s throat.
Most importantly, the risk of choking increases when the tentacles are cut and served for longer periods, or when octopus is consumed whole.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.