Doctors in Uttar Pradesh were left astonished after removing an extraordinary collection of foreign objects from a man’s stomach, including 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two pens.
The 40-year-old patient, a resident of Hapur, was rushed to Devnandani Hospital after suffering from severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and weakness. Scans revealed dozens of metallic and plastic items lodged inside his stomach, prompting an urgent surgical intervention.
A medical team led by surgeon Dr. Shyam Kumar performed a five-hour operation to extract the items. “When we performed the ultrasound, X-ray, and CT scan, we were stunned to see metallic and plastic objects inside his stomach. I have never seen so many foreign bodies in one patient,” Dr. Kumar told reporters.
In total, the surgeons removed 50 objects: 29 spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two pens. Unusually, many of the items had been broken into pieces before ingestion. “There were about 28 spoon parts, along with 21 headless brush parts and two pens,” Dr. Kumar said.
Hospital staff revealed that the man had a history of substance abuse and had recently been admitted to a de-addiction center in Ghaziabad. According to officials, he became distressed after being placed in the facility and began swallowing everyday objects in protest.
Speaking after surgery, the patient admitted: “I would pick them up and go to the washroom to swallow them.”
Doctors noted that the ingestion of foreign objects can be life-threatening, leading to internal injuries, blockages, or even sepsis if not promptly treated. In this case, the large number and size of the objects made the surgery particularly risky.
The man is currently recovering in hospital under close observation.
Medical experts suggest that the patient’s behavior may be linked to a psychiatric condition. One possible explanation is pica disorder a compulsive eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-food items.
“While pica is often observed in children, it can also develop in adults, especially those experiencing stress, trauma, or substance withdrawal,” a psychiatrist explained. “Ingesting sharp and metallic items is extremely dangerous, and in cases like this, psychiatric intervention is as important as surgical treatment.”
Cases involving such a large number of foreign objects are exceptionally rare. While isolated incidents of people swallowing coins, nails, or utensils have been documented, surgeons at Devnandani Hospital described this as one of the most unusual they had ever encountered.
Dr. Kumar stressed the importance of follow-up care: “Surgery removed the immediate threat, but the underlying psychological condition must also be addressed to prevent recurrence.”
The patient remains under observation and will be referred to psychiatric specialists for further treatment.
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