1-11-2024 (NEW DELHI) Doctors at Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj successfully removed a living cockroach from the small intestine of a 23-year-old patient who had been experiencing persistent digestive issues.
The unusual discovery was made during routine investigations after the young man sought medical attention for symptoms including indigestion and bloating that had persisted for several days. The medical team, led by Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Shubham Vatsya, was startled to find a fully intact, living cockroach measuring three centimetres in length within the patient’s digestive tract.
“The patient had no recollection of consuming the insect,” Dr Vatsya revealed. “What particularly surprised us was the cockroach’s ability to remain intact within the digestive system.”
Following the discovery, doctors performed an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a specialised procedure for examining the upper digestive tract. Using an advanced endoscope equipped with dual channels for air circulation and suction, the medical team successfully extracted the insect in a precise 10-minute procedure.
“We utilised the endoscope’s suction capability to safely remove the cockroach, potentially averting what could have developed into a life-threatening situation,” Dr Vatsya explained. He emphasised that the presence of a living insect in the small intestine posed significant risks of infection and other serious complications, necessitating immediate intervention.
