A 60-year-old Indian man living in the UAE had no idea that a fish bone he accidentally inhaled while eating would cause him trouble for the next two months. What seemed like an unfortunate incident at mealtime turned into a prolonged health problem, with the man struggling with coughing, chest congestion and difficulty breathing.Doctors eventually found a nearly 2cm-long fish bone lodged in his airway and managed to remove it in September.The man, Unnikrishnan Sivaraman, lives in Sharjah. The incident dates back to July 1, when he accidentally inhaled a bone from a milkfish. But getting the problem sorted out wasn’t as simple as he might have hoped.The hospital shared details of the case on October 26, according to a Gulf News report.
The breathing trouble just wouldn’t go away
After the incident, Sivaraman began feeling uncomfortable. He also suffered from severe nausea and vomiting, with traces of blood. Things became worrying enough for him to visit the emergency department at Aster Hospital Al Qusais.However, his problems continued.He kept coughing and experiencing chest congestion. His breathing also became increasingly difficult. Even after seeking medical attention, he wasn’t getting better.It was a CT scan at another hospital that eventually helped uncover the problem. Doctors spotted a fish bone stuck in his lower airway.Sivaraman was referred to Aster Hospital Mankhool on August 26. Further examinations confirmed that the bone was lodged in his right main bronchus, the airway that carries air to the right lung, as per the case details supplied by Aster DM Healthcare to the The Brew News.By this time, it had been sitting there for more than eight weeks. The constant irritation had caused inflammation, and tissue had started growing around the bone. This meant doctors couldn’t simply pull it out without taking extra care.
Getting the fish bone out was a delicate procedure
The bone was almost 2cm long and about 1cm wide. Its sharp edges and position inside the airway made the removal particularly tricky.Doctors decided to use bronchoscopy, a procedure that allows specialists to look inside the airways and deal with objects lodged there.Pulmonologist Dr Jolsana Augustine first carefully moved the bone towards the upper airway. ENT specialist Dr Bharath Neranki Satish Rao then used specialised forceps to remove it.There was another concern during the procedure: making sure the patient’s vocal cords weren’t injured.Dr Jolsana explained that when something remains stuck in the airway for weeks, the surrounding tissue can become inflamed. Granulation tissue may also develop, making it harder to remove the object safely.She said the team had to be especially careful because of the bone’s size, sharp edges and location. Doctors from the Pulmonology, ENT and Anaesthesia departments worked together to complete the procedure while reducing the risk of bleeding or damage to the airway.Dr Bharath said protecting the structures around the vocal cords was a key part of the procedure.
He was back home within hours
Doctors successfully removed the fish bone on September 11. Fortunately, Sivaraman’s recovery went well, and he was discharged in stable condition within just a few hours.The difference was noticeable at his follow-up appointment. He said his breathing had improved considerably, and he didn’t need any further treatment.He also thanked Dr Jolsana, Dr Bharath and the rest of the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for looking after him.Sivaraman said the doctors explained the treatment properly and made him feel comfortable throughout the experience. He was particularly happy with his recovery and how much better he felt after the bone was removed.
A small incident that turned into a bigger problem
Most people have probably experienced coughing or choking while eating at some point. Usually, the discomfort passes fairly quickly. But Sivaraman’s experience shows why it’s worth paying attention when symptoms stick around.A persistent cough, chest congestion or breathing difficulty after accidentally inhaling food or a bone shouldn’t be taken lightly. Sometimes, a foreign object can remain lodged in the airway and cause problems long after the initial incident.For Sivaraman, it took more than two months and a carefully planned procedure before the problem was finally resolved.Thankfully, the doctors managed to remove the bone without complications. After weeks of discomfort and breathing trouble, the Sharjah resident was finally able to get back to normal.
