Doctors surgically removed an eel over 50cm long from a male patient's stomach.

An eel measuring over 50cm in length and 3cm in diameter pierced the rectum, causing peritonitis in a male patient in Dong Nai.

Doctors at Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai province surgically removed an eel over 50cm long from the abdomen of a male patient - Photo: Hospital provided.

On May 24th, leaders of Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai province announced that they had just performed emergency surgery on an extremely rare and complex case, removing an eel over 50cm long from the abdomen of a male patient.

At 12 noon on May 23rd, Mr. VVL (41 years old, residing in Phuoc Tan ward, Dong Nai city) was admitted to the hospital in a state of severe abdominal pain and septic shock due to acute peritonitis.

The emergency team quickly performed tests, ultrasounds, and abdominal CT scans on the patient to determine any internal abdominal injuries.

The examination revealed a long, string-like foreign object and a large amount of fluid in the patient's abdominal cavity. The patient's rectum had a 2x1cm perforation on the anterior surface of the upper rectum. This was the location where the eel had penetrated and entered the abdominal cavity.

The doctor diagnosed the patient with septic shock and peritonitis due to perforation of a hollow organ, suspected to be caused by a bone foreign body.

Immediately afterward, the emergency team, anesthesia and resuscitation team, and the general surgery surgical team quickly consulted, assessed the emergency abdominal condition, and promptly transferred the patient to the operating room.

The surgery was performed urgently; the surgical team made an exploratory incision in the abdomen, discovered and removed a foreign object – an eel (over 50cm long) – located entirely within the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity).

Image of an eel inside the patient's abdomen - Photo: Provided by the hospital.

Next, the rectal perforation caused by the eel penetration was repaired by suturing, the abdominal cavity was thoroughly cleaned multiple times to prevent infection, and a drainage tube was placed in the cul-de-sac. Simultaneously, a colostomy was created to divert stool flow and secure the sutures.

According to Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai, this is a complex and rare case in medical literature. A large, mobile biological foreign body perforated the rectum, introducing a large amount of fecal matter into the abdominal cavity, causing severe peritonitis.

"Thanks to the seamless coordination and solid expertise of the general surgery surgical team and the anesthesia and resuscitation team, the surgery was successful," the hospital reported.

However, despite the surgery resolving the mechanical cause, the patient remains in extremely critical condition, facing multiple organ failure. The patient is currently sedated, on a ventilator, and undergoing continuous hemodialysis in the intensive care unit.

An eel over 50cm long was removed from the abdomen of a male patient - Photo: Hospital provided.

Dr. Do Quoc Tuyen, Deputy Head of the General Surgery Department at Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai, said the patient had been experiencing abdominal pain since the previous night but only came to the hospital for emergency treatment the following afternoon.

Upon admission, the patient had a perforated colon causing widespread abdominal inflammation and severe septic shock. "Usually, cases involving foreign bodies are admitted to the hospital within 1-2 hours, but this case lasted too long, leading to severe infection," said Dr. Tuyen.

The reason why the eel entered the abdominal cavity has not yet been determined. However, observation of the stomach and small intestine revealed no signs of obstruction, suggesting it was not swallowed through the mouth. It is more likely that the eel emerged from the anus.

Do not introduce live animals into the anal-rectal tract.

Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai warns that inserting foreign objects, especially live animals, into the anus and rectum (due to household accidents, folk remedies, etc.) can lead to intestinal perforation, septic shock, and directly threaten life.

In the event of an incident, absolutely do not attempt to remove the foreign object yourself using your hands or any tools, as this will cause more serious damage to the intestines. Also, do not use unproven or unscientific remedies.

Promptly transport the patient to the nearest medical facility with a surgical specialist for examination and timely intervention, to avoid potentially serious consequences.

A LOC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mo-lay-con-luon-dai-hon-50cm-trong-bung-nam-benh-nhan-2026052414382209.htm