Woman in critical condition saved after eating pufferfish.

Doctors at Quang Nam Central General Hospital have successfully saved a female patient in critical condition due to poisoning after eating pufferfish.

After undergoing hemoadsorption dialysis, the patient suffering from pufferfish poisoning gradually stabilized and received intensive treatment - Photo: HUAN BUI

The patient is Mrs. PTM (51 years old, residing in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province ). According to information from her family, on the afternoon of March 3rd, Mrs. M. prepared and ate pufferfish at home.

Shortly afterward, she showed signs of fatigue, drowsiness, and frequent vomiting, and was taken to the emergency room.

Doctors quickly determined that the patient had severe poisoning, which could lead to acute respiratory failure.

The patient then underwent gastric lavage, was given activated charcoal, and was transferred to the intensive care and toxicology unit for close monitoring.

After about 5 hours, the patient's condition worsened with symptoms such as respiratory muscle weakness, coma, and urinary dysfunction.

The doctors decided to intubate the patient, provide mechanical ventilation, and perform hemodialysis to remove toxins. After 6 hours of dialysis, the patient began to regain consciousness and showed significant improvement in cognitive function.

After treatment, Mrs. M's health gradually stabilized, and the breathing tube was removed. However, due to signs of fever and the risk of pneumonia from inhaling toxins during vomiting, her hospital stay was extended.

On March 6th, the patient was transferred to the general internal medicine department for continued treatment and was discharged on March 11th.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diem, from the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department of Quang Nam Central General Hospital, pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, which is concentrated in the skin, liver, intestines, and especially the testicles and ovaries. If not properly prepared, those who eat it are at high risk of poisoning.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuu-song-nguoi-phu-nu-nguy-kich-do-an-ca-noc-20250311103936992.htm