Surgeons successfully removed a live 30cm-long eel from a man’s abdomen after it allegedly slid up his rectum.
The 34-year-old man from the northern Quang Ninh Province of Vietnam was rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal cramps and complaints of stomach aches.
Initial examinations, including X-rays and ultrasounds, revealed a foreign object in his abdomen, causing intestinal perforation and peritonitis.
The patient underwent emergency surgery to remove the unidentified object. To the surgeons’ astonishment, they found a live eel when they opened his abdomen.
Graphic images depict medics using tongs to carefully extract the eel, measuring the same length as a standard ruler.
Following the procedure, the man’s condition stabilised quickly.
Despite the bizarre nature of the incident, he only experienced mild abdominal discomfort during his hospital stay.
When questioned about the eel’s presence in his abdomen, the patient could not explain.
Medical professionals speculate that the eel entered through his anus, travelled up his colon, and somehow ended up in his abdomen due to intestinal perforation.
Dr Pham Manh Hung commented on the rare case, highlighting the risks associated with the rectal region. ‘The rectum is a site with abundant faecal matter and is prone to infection. However, the surgery was performed safely.’
