Healthy Soch
Mumbai/New Delhi, October 09, 2026:
In a challenging ENT emergency, doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, successfully removed a sharp, 3.5-cm-long chicken bone that had become lodged in the esophagus of a 40-year-old Mira Road resident following accidental ingestion. The patient, Sukumar Vishwas (name changed), a resident of Mira Road, presented with symptoms suggestive of an esophageal foreign body after accidentally swallowing a chicken bone. Clinical evaluation and endoscopic assessment confirmed that the sharp foreign body was impacted in the esophagus, posing a potential risk of mucosal injury and other complications if it remained lodged.
The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Chandra Veer Singh, ENT, Head & Neck Cancer and Skull Base Surgeon; Dr. Sheetal Radia, Senior ENT Specialist & Head and Neck Oncosurgeon; Dr. Aditya Verma, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Advanced Endoscopist; and Dr. Rohit Kateliya, Anaesthetist.
At Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, the foreign body was successfully removed under appropriate anaesthesia with endoscopic visualization. The retrieved chicken bone measured approximately 3.5 cm in length. The coordinated efforts of the ENT, gastroenterology, advanced endoscopy and anaesthesia teams enabled controlled removal without the need for more extensive surgical intervention.
According to Dr. Chandra Veer Singh, ENT, Head & Neck Cancer and Skull Base Surgeon, sharp foreign bodies such as chicken bones require prompt medical assessment, as prolonged impaction can potentially result in complications such as mucosal perforation, deep neck infection, mediastinitis, bleeding, or injury to surrounding structures.
“A chicken bone may appear small, but once it becomes impacted in the esophagus, particularly when it is sharp and relatively long, it should not be taken lightly. Early diagnosis and controlled endoscopic removal can help prevent serious complications,” said Dr. Chandra Veer Singh.
The patient was also using a CPAP machine for obstructive sleep apnea, which was taken into consideration during the clinical assessment and management. However, there is no established evidence from this case to suggest that CPAP therapy caused the chicken-bone impaction, and the two circumstances should not be considered causally related.
Following the procedure, the patient was kept under postoperative observation and assessed for any evidence of esophageal injury. He remained under appropriate medical supervision following the successful removal.
A Reminder About Swallowed Chicken Bones:- Chicken bones are among the sharp foreign bodies that can become lodged in the upper aerodigestive tract. If a person develops persistent throat or chest pain, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, excessive salivation, or a sensation of something being stuck after eating chicken, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.
Doctors advise against attempting to force a suspected chicken bone down with food or other home remedies, as this may potentially push the sharp object deeper or cause additional injury. Early assessment and appropriate endoscopic management can help reduce the risk of complications.
