Man lives with pen cap in lungs for 21 years, KIMS Kondapur surgeons remove it

Hyderabad: A 26-year-old man from Karimnagar had been unknowingly living with a pen cap in his lungs for 21 years after accidentally swallowing it at the age of five.

The object was successfully removed by doctors at KIMS Hospital, Kondapur, after he developed severe respiratory symptoms.

Persistent symptoms led to diagnosis

The patient had been experiencing a persistent cough and unexplained weight loss for the past month. Over the last ten days, his condition worsened, making it difficult for him to sleep. Upon consulting doctors, an initial CT scan revealed an infection in the lower left lung. He was then referred to KIMS Hospital, Kondapur, for further evaluation.

Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonologist, Dr Shubhakar Nadella, explained the case: “When the patient arrived, we conducted a CT scan, which showed a lump-like structure inside his lungs. We initially assumed it was an obstruction causing his persistent cough. However, during the procedure, we discovered that it was actually a pen cap lodged inside. Midway through the procedure, we called in his elder brother and asked if he had ever swallowed anything as a child. That’s when he recalled that, at the age of five, he had accidentally swallowed a pen cap. At that time, he was taken to a doctor, who conducted an examination but found nothing abnormal, assuming that the foreign object had naturally passed out of the body.”

3-hour procedure to remove the pen cap from lungs

Doctors used a flexible bronchoscopy to carefully extract the pen cap. The procedure took nearly three hours, as tissue buildup, lymph nodes and muscle formations had developed around the object over the years.

“Once the surrounding area was cleared, we successfully extracted the pen cap. The prolonged presence of a foreign body had caused lung damage, but we managed to restore the affected area with antibiotic treatment. The patient has now fully recovered,” Dr. Nadella said.

Warning against delayed medical attention

Dr Nadella emphasised the dangers of foreign objects remaining inside the body for extended periods.

“Leaving foreign objects inside the body for an extended period is extremely dangerous. If the patient had delayed further, the lung tissue would have been completely damaged, requiring surgical removal of the affected section. Fortunately, we identified the issue in time and treated it with medication,” he said.

He also advised parents to be cautious with young children.

“Parents must be vigilant when their children are playing and observe what they put in their mouths. If a child accidentally swallows any object, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent severe complications,” he cautioned.

The case highlights the importance of early detection and medical intervention in cases of foreign body ingestion.