Man Lived 8 Years with Chopstick Stuck in Throat – and Ignored It!

A 46-year-old man in Dalian, China, underwent a rare medical procedure to remove a 12-centimeter metal chopstick that had been lodged in his throat for eight years, according to doctors at the Affiliated Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology.

The patient, identified only by his surname Wang, initially swallowed the chopstick whereas eating and immediately experienced discomfort and a sensation of something obstructing his airway. He sought medical attention, and doctors determined the object was lodged behind his soft palate. However, fearing a surgical procedure requiring a neck incision, Wang chose to leave the chopstick in place.

For years, Wang reportedly continued his daily life, attributing occasional throat discomfort to his drinking habits, rather than the foreign object residing within his throat. Recently, the pain intensified, particularly when swallowing, prompting him to return to the hospital.

Scans revealed the chopstick remained embedded in the upper right side of his throat, with approximately 3 centimeters still protruding. Despite the prolonged presence of the object, doctors found no evidence of infection, bleeding, or damage to his vocal cords, a surprising outcome given the length of time it remained lodged.

Recognizing the patient’s previous aversion to invasive surgery, the medical team at Dalian University of Technology Affiliated Central Hospital opted for a minimally invasive transoral procedure. The entire 12-centimeter stainless steel chopstick was successfully removed through the mouth, avoiding the need for an external incision.

The Affiliated Central Hospital is part of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalian University of Technology, located at No. 2 Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China. Cui Wang, a head of department at Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, is affiliated with the university, according to publicly available research profiles.