Doctors at Delhi’s AIIMS pulled off a delicate operation Thursday, rescuing a 14-month-old girl by removing a 2-inch metal spring lodged perilously in her esophagus. Originally from Yamunanagar, the baby had ingested the object inadvertently, leading to acute health complications.
Symptoms of nonstop vomiting and a two-day inability to consume food or liquids alarmed her family, leading to hospitalization. X-ray scans exposed the foreign intruder in the upper gastrointestinal tract, along with mucosal damage from its presence.
Pediatric surgery head Prof. Dr. Vishal Jain recounted the challenges: ‘This wasn’t your average spring—it measured up to 2 inches in length and half an inch thick.’ A previous endoscopic bid in Dehradun was aborted due to excessive swelling and injury risks, fast-tracking the patient to AIIMS.
In a state-of-the-art OR setup, the team employed rigid endoscopes to twist and retrieve the spring safely. The outcome was exemplary; the child’s health stabilized quickly, allowing regular feeds the following day.
Beyond the successful procedure, Dr. Jain stressed prevention: Parents must vigilantly store hazardous small items—springs, batteries, coins, toy fragments—beyond tiny hands. Immediate medical consultation post-ingestion ensures tailored interventions based on the item’s dimensions. Stories like this celebrate AIIMS’s prowess while reminding us of vigilance in child safety.