Man Lives With 12cm Metal Chopstick In Throat For 8 Years

If you've been feeling pain but have been putting off that doctor’s visit for far too long, this story might make you rethink things. 

A 46-year-old man in Dalian has left doctors stunned after living with a 12cm metal chopstick lodged in his throat for eight years, with 3cm of it still sticking out the side of his throat.

According to doctors from the Dalian University of Technology Affiliated Central Hospital, the man, surnamed Wang, accidentally swallowed a chopstick while eating years ago.

He immediately felt something was wrong, and experienced a choking sensation in his neck and recurring throat pain.

Naturally, he went to a hospital. Strangely, he decided to leave the chopstick there.

Doctors had told him at the time that removing it would require surgery involving an incision in his neck.

Not thrilled by the idea of surgery, Wang opted to do nothing and somehow carried on with life.

Over the years, it seems Wang ‘forgot’ about the chopstick in his throat.

He reportedly has a long-term habit of drinking and continued to feel occasional discomfort and a persistent “something stuck in my throat” sensation.

But instead of, say, remembering the 12cm metal object lodged in his throat, he chalked it up to his drinking habits.

It wasn’t until recently, when he woke up with intense throat pain that worsened when swallowing, that he realised something might actually be wrong.

Now, that’s an understatement.

He rushed to the hospital, where scans revealed the chopstick had been embedded in the upper right side of his throat, behind the soft palate, with about 3cm still sticking out.

Despite everything, doctors found no major damage — no infection, no bleeding, and no structural issues with his vocal cords.

Taking into account his earlier concerns about invasive surgery, doctors opted for a minimally invasive transoral procedure, removing the chopstick through the mouth instead of making an external incision.

The entire 12cm stainless steel chopstick was successfully removed.

Here is a public service announcement: Don’t delay or put off those doctor appointments if you've been feeling discomfort. 

Photos: m.gmw.cn