A live eel, 30 centimeters long, is removed from a man’s intestines. Photo from Chinese social media Weibo
A 30-year-old man in China’s Hunan Province narrowly survived a life-threatening ordeal after a 30-cm-long eel was found alive and moving inside his abdominal cavity.
The creature had reportedly entered through the patient’s anus and perforated his intestinal wall.
Upon admission to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine earlier this week, the patient exhibited a pale complexion, severe abdominal pain, and profuse sweating. Medical staff noted that he repeatedly cried for help and confessed to doctors: “A live eel crawled into my anus,” as reported by Ctwant.
While the specific circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear, CT scans quickly confirmed the presence of a live eel moving within the colon.
The situation became critical as the eel pierced the sigmoid colon, leading to an intestinal perforation. The Xiaoxiang Morning Post reported that the man showed symptoms of a “board-like rigid abdomen,” which is a classic clinical sign of peritonitis. This condition is extremely dangerous and, if left untreated, can rapidly progress to septic shock and death.
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A CT scan image of a live eel in a man’s intestines in China. Photo courtesy of First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine |
Surgeons performed emergency laparoscopic surgery to address the crisis. During the procedure, the medical team was surprised to find that the eel had completely exited through the perforation and was swimming freely within the abdominal cavity. This movement caused a severe internal infection and significantly complicated the surgical risks.
Through the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary medical team, the eel was successfully removed and the intestinal perforation was sutured. Following a period of anti-infection treatment and nutritional support, the patient recovered and was eventually discharged from the hospital.
Medical experts have issued a stern warning against the insertion of foreign objects into the anus, emphasizing that the intestinal wall is incredibly fragile. Such actions can easily lead to massive bleeding, severe infection, or death. Doctors stressed that anyone in a similar situation must seek immediate emergency care at a reputable hospital and avoid any attempt at self-treatment or delay in seeking medical attention.
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