The denture that was stuck in the man’s food pipe NEW DELHI: A routine meal turned into a medical emergency when a man accidentally swallowed his denture—only for it to get lodged deep inside his food pipe, leaving him in severe distress. In a complex, high-risk procedure, doctors at a private hospital used a laser-assisted endoscopic technique to remove it, avoiding the need for major surgery.The patient, a 45-year-old vegetable seller from Rampur near Moradabad, arrived gasping, with intense throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Scans revealed the dental plate stuck at the cricopharynx—an extremely sensitive junction between the food pipe and windpipe—where its sharp metallic clasps risked tearing the esophagus. This narrow, rigid area is a common site where foreign bodies get impacted.“This was one of the most difficult foreign bodies we have encountered,” said Dr Anil Arora, Chairman, Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “Conventional tools like forceps or snares could have caused serious injury.”Foreign bodies — such as coins, dentures, button batteries, pins or even fish and meat bones — are not digested and may not pass naturally. Sharp objects can injure or perforate the gastrointestinal tract, while some may slip into the windpipe, causing breathing problems or serious lung infections.The patient was unable to swallow or expel the object. Endoscopy confirmed the denture was firmly lodged, and standard removal methods were deemed unsafe due to the risk of injury.After initial attempts failed, the team switched strategy. Using a precision laser under endoscopic guidance, doctors broke the denture into smaller fragments inside the esophagus. A protective over tube was then deployed to shield the inner lining as each piece was removed in a controlled manner.“The laser allowed controlled fragmentation, while the over tube prevented damage from sharp edges,” said Shrihari Anikhindi, consultant gastroenterologist. “This helped us avoid open surgery, which carries significant risks and longer recovery.”The laser used relies on a focused, high-energy beam — often using a holmium source — allowing precise fragmentation without damaging surrounding tissue. This approach helped avoid complications such as airway obstruction or perforation, which can lead to deep neck infections.Doctors say commonly seen foreign bodies include fish or chicken bones, dentures and even broken toothbrush parts, and stress that early medical attention is critical.The patient recovered without complications—turning what could have been a life-threatening situation into a showcase of minimally invasive innovation, said doctors. EOMAbout the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool PakistanIndia Buys Iranian Oil After 7 Years, No Payment Hurdles Reported“Violation Of Article 21”: Owaisi Slams UCC, Says It Interferes With Religious FreedomAmid Strait Of Hormuz Tensions, Iran Calls India A ‘Cherished Partner’ As Ships Transit Safely‘Three Allegations, Zero Truth’: Raghav Chadha Counters AAP After Shock Deputy Leader Snub‘Came Through Solidly’: S Jaishankar Flags Global Risks, Says India Emerged Resilient Amid Crisis123Photostories7 cost-effective renovation strategies to maximise your property’s market value200 kg of artificially ripened mangoes seized in Hyderabad: FSSAI’s guidelines on artificial fruit ripening and 8 smart ways to check purity at homeHailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen’s love story: Inside their journey from first sightings to family of threeTop vegetarian sources of vitamin D and how to eat them to gain maximum benefits7 indoor herbs you can grow near a sunny windowBaby names inspired by virtuesHidden sodium in everyday foods: How excess salt raises blood pressure and simple ways to reduce intake7 pricey ingredients you can easily make at homeLord Ganesha mantras that you should chant everyday’Friends’, ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘The Office’ and more: Iconic TV quotes and catchphrases that became a part of everyday life123Hot PicksPakistan Petrol CrisisRuturaj GaikwadKick StreamerShashi TharoorStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news

The denture that was stuck in the man’s food pipe NEW DELHI: A routine meal turned into a medical emergency when a man accidentally swallowed his denture—only for it to get lodged deep inside his food pipe, leaving him in severe distress. In a complex, high-risk procedure, doctors at a private hospital used a laser-assisted endoscopic technique to remove it, avoiding the need for major surgery.The patient, a 45-year-old vegetable seller from Rampur near Moradabad, arrived gasping, with intense throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Scans revealed the dental plate stuck at the cricopharynx—an extremely sensitive junction between the food pipe and windpipe—where its sharp metallic clasps risked tearing the esophagus. This narrow, rigid area is a common site where foreign bodies get impacted.“This was one of the most difficult foreign bodies we have encountered,” said Dr Anil Arora, Chairman, Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “Conventional tools like forceps or snares could have caused serious injury.”Foreign bodies — such as coins, dentures, button batteries, pins or even fish and meat bones — are not digested and may not pass naturally. Sharp objects can injure or perforate the gastrointestinal tract, while some may slip into the windpipe, causing breathing problems or serious lung infections.The patient was unable to swallow or expel the object. Endoscopy confirmed the denture was firmly lodged, and standard removal methods were deemed unsafe due to the risk of injury.After initial attempts failed, the team switched strategy. Using a precision laser under endoscopic guidance, doctors broke the denture into smaller fragments inside the esophagus. A protective over tube was then deployed to shield the inner lining as each piece was removed in a controlled manner.“The laser allowed controlled fragmentation, while the over tube prevented damage from sharp edges,” said Shrihari Anikhindi, consultant gastroenterologist. “This helped us avoid open surgery, which carries significant risks and longer recovery.”The laser used relies on a focused, high-energy beam — often using a holmium source — allowing precise fragmentation without damaging surrounding tissue. This approach helped avoid complications such as airway obstruction or perforation, which can lead to deep neck infections.Doctors say commonly seen foreign bodies include fish or chicken bones, dentures and even broken toothbrush parts, and stress that early medical attention is critical.The patient recovered without complications—turning what could have been a life-threatening situation into a showcase of minimally invasive innovation, said doctors. EOMAbout the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool PakistanIndia Buys Iranian Oil After 7 Years, No Payment Hurdles Reported“Violation Of Article 21”: Owaisi Slams UCC, Says It Interferes With Religious FreedomAmid Strait Of Hormuz Tensions, Iran Calls India A ‘Cherished Partner’ As Ships Transit Safely‘Three Allegations, Zero Truth’: Raghav Chadha Counters AAP After Shock Deputy Leader Snub‘Came Through Solidly’: S Jaishankar Flags Global Risks, Says India Emerged Resilient Amid Crisis123Photostories7 cost-effective renovation strategies to maximise your property’s market value200 kg of artificially ripened mangoes seized in Hyderabad: FSSAI’s guidelines on artificial fruit ripening and 8 smart ways to check purity at homeHailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen’s love story: Inside their journey from first sightings to family of threeTop vegetarian sources of vitamin D and how to eat them to gain maximum benefits7 indoor herbs you can grow near a sunny windowBaby names inspired by virtuesHidden sodium in everyday foods: How excess salt raises blood pressure and simple ways to reduce intake7 pricey ingredients you can easily make at homeLord Ganesha mantras that you should chant everyday’Friends’, ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘The Office’ and more: Iconic TV quotes and catchphrases that became a part of everyday life123Hot PicksPakistan Petrol CrisisRuturaj GaikwadKick StreamerShashi TharoorStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news


Laser saves man after denture gets stuck in food pipe
The denture that was stuck in the man’s food pipe

NEW DELHI: A routine meal turned into a medical emergency when a man accidentally swallowed his denture—only for it to get lodged deep inside his food pipe, leaving him in severe distress. In a complex, high-risk procedure, doctors at a private hospital used a laser-assisted endoscopic technique to remove it, avoiding the need for major surgery.The patient, a 45-year-old vegetable seller from Rampur near Moradabad, arrived gasping, with intense throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Scans revealed the dental plate stuck at the cricopharynx—an extremely sensitive junction between the food pipe and windpipe—where its sharp metallic clasps risked tearing the esophagus. This narrow, rigid area is a common site where foreign bodies get impacted.“This was one of the most difficult foreign bodies we have encountered,” said Dr Anil Arora, Chairman, Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “Conventional tools like forceps or snares could have caused serious injury.”Foreign bodies — such as coins, dentures, button batteries, pins or even fish and meat bones — are not digested and may not pass naturally. Sharp objects can injure or perforate the gastrointestinal tract, while some may slip into the windpipe, causing breathing problems or serious lung infections.The patient was unable to swallow or expel the object. Endoscopy confirmed the denture was firmly lodged, and standard removal methods were deemed unsafe due to the risk of injury.After initial attempts failed, the team switched strategy. Using a precision laser under endoscopic guidance, doctors broke the denture into smaller fragments inside the esophagus. A protective over tube was then deployed to shield the inner lining as each piece was removed in a controlled manner.“The laser allowed controlled fragmentation, while the over tube prevented damage from sharp edges,” said Shrihari Anikhindi, consultant gastroenterologist. “This helped us avoid open surgery, which carries significant risks and longer recovery.”The laser used relies on a focused, high-energy beam — often using a holmium source — allowing precise fragmentation without damaging surrounding tissue. This approach helped avoid complications such as airway obstruction or perforation, which can lead to deep neck infections.Doctors say commonly seen foreign bodies include fish or chicken bones, dentures and even broken toothbrush parts, and stress that early medical attention is critical.The patient recovered without complications—turning what could have been a life-threatening situation into a showcase of minimally invasive innovation, said doctors. EOM



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