Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi reported on Wednesday that its doctors successfully treated a patient with a perforated small intestine caused by swallowing a Chinese jujube seed.

The patient, N.T.K., a 37-year-old from the northern province of Thai Nguyen, was admitted to Viet Duc University Hospital with generalized abdominal infection, also known as generalized peritonitis. 

Dr. Le Nhat Huy, deputy director of the center for colon and rectal surgery at the hospital, explained that the patient had experienced abdominal pain the day before admission, starting in the epigastric region and gradually spreading to the right iliac fossa, symptoms similar to acute appendicitis.

The patient was first examined at a hospital in Thai Nguyen Province, where a CT scan raised concerns of intestinal necrosis, prompting an immediate transfer to Viet Duc University Hospital. 

Upon arrival, the patient was in severe abdominal pain, and doctors diagnosed generalized peritonitis, leading to an emergency surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery revealed a cloudy abdomen with pseudomembrane-like tissue, no signs of appendicitis, but inflammation at the junction of the small and large intestines. 

During an open surgery to check for damage to the small intestine, doctors discovered a perforation caused by a sharp foreign object protruding from the intestinal wall.

The foreign object was identified as a dried Chinese jujube seed, a common food item. 

Doctors then sutured the small intestine hole and cleaned the abdomen. 

Eight hours later, the patient regained consciousness and was transferred to the treatment room, showing good recovery.

The patient shared that while eating bird’s nest soup with Chinese jujube, they accidentally swallowed the seed. 

This type of incident is common, as many people do not pay attention when swallowing sharp foreign objects, assuming they will be naturally expelled due to the lack of choking or suffocation.

Doctors caution that sharp foreign objects such as Chinese jujube seeds, toothpicks, and bones can cause severe damage to the digestive tract, particularly at the junction of the small and large intestines. 

If not detected early, such objects can lead to intestinal perforation, peritonitis, infection, or even life-threatening complications.

If a sharp foreign object is swallowed, doctors advise against assuming it will be expelled on its own. 

Patients should seek medical attention within four to six hours for a gastroscopy to remove the object and prevent complications. 

This is especially crucial for the elderly or individuals with compromised health, as abdominal infections can quickly escalate to septic shock or death.

To prevent such incidents, people are advised to eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and exercise caution when consuming foods with hard seeds or bones. 

If a foreign object is swallowed, especially a sharp one, prompt medical attention is essential.

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