Doctors Extract Massive Ball of Chewing Gum from Young Boy's Stomach

John Lopez, Tech Times 27 May 2023, 11:05 am

In a bizarre and alarming medical case, DailyMail reported that doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio found themselves facing an unusual challenge: removing a massive ball of chewing gum from a young boy's stomach.

Hospitalized for Ingesting 40 Pieces of Chewing Gum

The ordeal began when the child, whose name was not disclosed for privacy reasons, consumed nearly 40 pieces of chewing gum in one sitting.

At first, he experienced cramps and diarrhea, unaware of the impending danger lurking in his stomach. The gum had clumped together, creating a sizable obstruction in his digestive system.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the boy's mother sought help by contacting the local poison center. Following their advice, she rushed her son to the emergency room when he started to experience stomach pain and persistent diarrhea.

Medical scans at the hospital revealed a large mass, known as a bezoar, lodged in the boy's stomach. Occupying a staggering 25 percent of the stomach space, this gum conglomerate seriously threatened his health. Immediate intervention was necessary to prevent further complications.

Doctors Remove Massive Clump of Chewing Gum

Under Dr. Chizite Iheonunekwu's guidance, the doctors decided on a complex emergency operation.

DailyMail reports that the procedure involved carefully extracting the gum mass using multiple passes of an esophagoscope, a hollow metal tube inserted through the throat.

Through this tube, forceps and other specialized instruments were employed to remove the gum in fragments, which were pulled out through the throat.

The removal process required multiple attempts due to the size and location of the gum mass, leading to some discomfort for the patient.

He experienced a sore throat due to the extensive manipulation required to extract the gum, but this was managed with painkillers.

Remarkably, the young boy suffered no long-term consequences from the incident and was discharged the following day.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic caution that swallowing gum, although typically harmless if consumed accidentally in small quantities, can occasionally lead to intestinal blockages when large amounts are ingested.

Is It Dangerous to Ingest Chewing Gum?

Dr. Elizabeth Rajan, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, explains that if a small piece is swallowed, it will pass through the digestive system and be expelled in the stool. However, in rare cases like this, the gum can accumulate and form a mass, obstructing the intestines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has categorized chewing gum as a "food of minimal nutritional value," prohibiting its sale in competition with school breakfast and lunch programs.

However, there is some controversy surrounding this definition of gum, as Healthline points out. Many of the ingredients used in gum bases are non-edible substances found in items such as caulking, white glue, and plastic bags.

According to studies, chewing gum comprises various components like resins, humectants, elastomers, emulsifiers, fillers, waxes, antioxidants, and softeners, all of which are insoluble.

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