Doctors remove live cockroach from Delhi man's small intestine, explain the insect might have entered while sleeping

In an unusual and life-threatening incident, doctors at Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, found themselves face-to-face with an unexpected patient — a live cockroach lodged inside a 23-year-old man’s small intestine. The medical team, led by Dr Shubham Vatsya, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology, carried out a swift endoscopic procedure to remove the 3-centimetre insect in a daring operation that saved the young man’s life.

A painful surprise

The patient had been experiencing significant abdominal pain and trouble digesting food for two or three days when he finally sought help. What he didn’t expect was that the source of his discomfort would turn out to be a live cockroach. Upon his admission, Dr Vatsya and his team decided to conduct an Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy to investigate the cause of his symptoms.

During the procedure, they discovered the uninvited intruder lurking in the man’s small intestine. "A live cockroach in the small intestine is a life-threatening situation," Dr Vatsya said, noting the urgency of the discovery. "We proceeded immediately with the endoscopy to remove it. If it hadn’t been removed, the cockroach could have caused severe infections and potentially fatal complications."

The peculiar procedure

The extraction, while extraordinary, was surprisingly straightforward. The doctors employed an endoscope, a flexible tube outfitted with two channels — one for infusing air and water, and the other for suction. Dr Vatsya’s team used the suction channel to trap the cockroach, swiftly guiding it up and out of the patient’s digestive tract in under ten minutes.

The medical team was equally relieved and intrigued by the unique case. Dr Vatsya speculated that the cockroach may have found its way into the patient’s mouth while he was sleeping, or, more bizarrely, been swallowed unknowingly during a meal.

This surprising incident serves as a reminder that life can sometimes deliver the most unexpected challenges. Though rare, cases like this underscore the importance of seeking prompt medical attention when unusual symptoms arise. Thanks to the quick action and precision of Dr Vatsya and his team, the young man walked away from what could have been a far more dangerous situation.

While we’re all advised to stay vigilant about what we put into our bodies, sometimes it seems that creepy crawlies find their own way in. Fortunately, Delhi’s medical professionals are prepared — even for the most unusual of cases.

(With inputs from agencies)