Doctors at KIMS Hospital Remove Pen Cap Stuck in Lungs for 21 Years

Hyderabad: In a rare medical case, doctors at KIMS Hospital, Kondapur, successfully removed a pen cap that had been lodged in a man's lungs for 21 years. The 26-year-old patient from Karimnagar had unknowingly carried the object since accidentally swallowing it at the age of five.

The patient had been experiencing a persistent cough and unexplained weight loss for the past month, with his condition worsening over the last ten days, making it difficult for him to sleep. A CT scan revealed an infection in the lower left lung, prompting further examination at KIMS Hospital, where a second CT scan provided more clarity.

Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonologist Dr. Shubhakar Nadella, who led the procedure, explained, "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."

The intricate procedure lasted nearly three hours. Using a flexible bronchoscopy, doctors carefully removed the tissue buildup, lymph nodes, and muscle formations that had developed around the object over the years. Once the area was cleared, they 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 added.

He also stressed the importance of timely medical intervention in such cases. "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. 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."

The case highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluation and early detection in cases of foreign body aspiration, which can have serious long-term consequences if left untreated.