Teen's Close Call: How a Sewing Needle Almost Became Fatal

A 14-year-old girl's life was saved in a remarkable turn of events after she accidentally swallowed a sewing needle. The crucial intervention was carried out by the medical team at a regional hospital in the town of Baymak, located in the Ural Mountains of Russia.

Dr. Ilyshat Riskuzhin recounted the incident. He explained that the girl was suffering from intense chest pain, had difficulty breathing, was coughing, and experienced uncontrollable drooling. An X-ray examination revealed the presence of the needle in her trachea: "We saw a small needle causing havoc in her body. We immediately consulted with specialists and decided to transfer her for urgent surgery at the hospital in Ufa."

The quick actions of the hospital in Ufa, where doctors specialize in a procedure known as bronchoscopy, were critical in saving the girl's life. "The rapid intervention was crucial in this case," the surgeons said. "When a foreign object is 'wandering free' in the body, there's no telling what it can damage, especially something as sharp and thin as a needle."

"Everything ended well, and the girl is slowly and surely recovering," concluded Dr. Riskuzhin.

Swallowing a needle (or any other sharp object) is a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Attempting to remove the needle from the body or throat at home is strictly prohibited, as it may cause punctures, tears, or dangerous internal bleeding.

Additionally, attempts to induce vomiting can cause the needle to move, leading to scratches or tears in the esophagus. It's also unsafe to try forcing the needle down the esophagus with food or drink. It is crucial to get to a hospital as quickly as possible to receive medical treatment through surgical intervention.