Doctors remove plastic whistle stuck in man’s respiratory system for 20 years

A team of doctors at Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital in Amritsar has successfully removed a plastic whistle stuck in the breathing system of a patient 20 years ago. The 34-year-old patient, Jaspal Singh, had swallowed the plastic whistle while playing at the age of 14 years and had been suffering from a chronic cough and breathlessness for 20 years.

The doctors at the hospital stated that Jaspal Singh had been misdiagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and treated for the same, but it had worsened his condition.

After a thorough medical examination using advanced diagnostic equipment, the doctors discovered a plastic whistle lodged in his lungs, which he had accidentally inhaled at the age of 14. At SGRD hospital, the patient was operated two days ago by a team of doctors, led by Dr BC Sarin, professor and head, department of respiratory medicine, and performed a groundbreaking procedure using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope to remove the foreign object.

The team, consisting of Dr Arvinder Singh Sood, Dr Vanita Sarin, and Dr Jaskaran Singh, successfully stabilised the patient’s health almost immediately after the procedure. This remarkable achievement highlights the hospital’s commitment to patient care and showcases the effectiveness of cutting-edge medical technology in addressing complex health issues.

The patient’s family, who had been seeking treatment for him for years, is relieved and grateful for the successful outcome. This case serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance and advanced medical technology in treating chronic conditions, said Dr BC Sarin.

Amritsar