Surgeons in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district removed nearly 50 objects, including 29 spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and 2 pens from the stomach of a 35-year-old man in a rare and challenging medical case. The patient had been experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty in eating before doctors identified the presence of multiple foreign bodies inside his gastrointestinal tract.
The case brought attention to a little-known but serious condition: deliberate ingestion of foreign bodies (DFBI).1
The man was admitted to a private hospital after prolonged discomfort. Surgeons performed imaging studies, and they revealed dozens of non-food objects clustered in the stomach. An exploratory laparotomy, a surgical procedure in which the abdomen is opened was performed, and 50 objects were carefully removed.
Doctors confirmed that the patient had been swallowing foreign items deliberately over a period of time. Following surgery, the man was stabilized and referred for psychiatric evaluation. Social media is flooded with the video of the surgeon displaying the objects removed after the surgery.
While accidental swallowing of coins or small toys is common in children, deliberate ingestion in adults is far rarer and typically linked to psychiatric disorders.
A review published in General Hospital Psychiatry explains that deliberate ingestion is often associated with borderline personality disorder, psychosis, malingering, or attention-seeking behaviors and also present in alcoholics.² In some individuals, it may also be related to pica, a condition in which people compulsively eat non-food substances.
According to a 2023 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychiatry, DFBI can also be linked to impulse control disorders, self-harm tendencies, and past trauma.¹ Patients may use ingestion as a coping mechanism, a way to seek medical attention, or due to compulsive urges they cannot control.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is not designed to handle large or sharp objects. Swallowing items like spoons or toothbrushes can cause:
Perforation: Sharp edges may puncture the stomach or intestines, leading to life-threatening infections.
Obstruction: Objects can block the passage of food, causing severe pain and vomiting.
Bleeding: Sharp or pointed items can injure the inner lining of the digestive tract.
Malnutrition: Repeated ingestion and damage may prevent normal eating and absorption of nutrients.
Managing DFBI requires coordination between gastroenterologists, surgeons, and psychiatrists. The recurrence rate is high: a review by Palmer (2011) showed that some patients presented dozens of times with repeated ingestion episodes, often requiring repeated endoscopic or surgical interventions.²
Management begins with imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to locate and count the foreign objects. Depending on their size, shape, and position, treatment may involve:
Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera and tools to retrieve the objects.
Surgery: Open or laparoscopic procedures when endoscopy is not possible.
Psychiatric Care: Essential to prevent recurrence, since repeat ingestion is common without mental health support.
In the Hapur case, the number and size of objects required open surgery. Post-surgical psychiatric evaluation is considered crucial, as many patients tend to repeat the behavior if underlying conditions remain untreated.
While the Hapur case is extraordinary due to the sheer number of objects ingested, it highlights several broader concerns:
Mental Health Awareness: Many individuals with DFBI suffer silently. Early psychiatric intervention can prevent dangerous medical complications.
Access to Care: In resource-limited settings, delayed diagnosis can worsen outcomes.
Family and Social Support: Patients often require ongoing counseling and monitoring to reduce recurrence.
Deliberate foreign body ingestion is rare but serious. Early recognition, appropriate medical treatment, and integrated psychiatric care are essential to reduce risks and improve patient outcomes.
O’Neill, E., Cowman, J., Egan, P., & Saunders, J. (2023). Deliberate Foreign Body Ingestion: Systematic Review of Clinical Presentation, Psychopathology, and Management. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10715904/
Palmer, E. D. (2011). Repeated Ingestion of Foreign Bodies by Adults: Deliberate or Accidental? General Hospital Psychiatry, 33(6), 644–650. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834311002350
UP Surgeons Remove 50 Objects from Man’s Stomach: Why Did He Swallow Spoons, Toothbrushes, and Pens? Times of India. Published September 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/up-surgeons-remove-50-objects-from-mans-stomach-why-did-he-swallow-spoons-toothbrushes-and-pens/articleshow/124156675.cms
(Rh/Eth/TL)