After indulging in a generous seafood feast, a gentleman in Singapore encountered an unexpected ordeal.
The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, became aware of an issue when he experienced vomiting shortly after consuming a meal consisting of octopus. Additionally, he encountered difficulties in swallowing, leading him to seek medical attention at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
To investigate the problem further, doctors performed a CT scan, unveiling a densely compacted mass within the patient’s esophagus.
Subsequently, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a procedure involving using a flexible tube to examine the gastrointestinal tract, was carried out.
The examination revealed a remarkable sight resembling something from Ridley Scott’s film “Alien”—an octopus with tentacles firmly lodged approximately two inches from the border between the esophagus and stomach.
Initial attempts to dislodge or remove the creature proved unsuccessful. However, the medical team skillfully maneuvered the endoscope beyond the octopus and into the stomach by employing a technique known as retroflexion.
Initially, doctors attempted the commonly employed “push technique,” which typically yields successful results.
However, it swiftly became evident that the octopus was unwilling to be dislodged without a struggle.
Applying excessive pressure posed a significant risk of rupturing the delicate esophageal lining. Consequently, the medical team devised an alternate approach.
They carefully maneuvered an endoscope past the octopus, allowing it to reach the stomach.
With a deft maneuver known as retroflection, they positioned the endoscope to gain access beyond the octopus. Subsequently, forceps were employed to grasp the sea creature firmly and extract it from the esophagus.
The reasons behind the man’s decision to swallow the octopus remain uncertain.
Nevertheless, fortunate circumstances prevailed, as he recuperated remarkably well following the gastrointestinal procedure.
After a two-day observation period, he was discharged from the medical facility. It is worth noting that he had avoided a more dangerous situation by not attempting to consume the marine creature while still alive.
Such an ill-fated choice could have resulted in joining the unfortunate statistic of the approximately six individuals who, on average, perish annually due to asphyxiation.
Octopuses instinctively employ their tentacles to firmly attach themselves to the throats of those who swallow them, effectively blocking air passage.
