Zhou Chinese Man Who Spent Four Years With a Toothpick in His Heart Date of Birth: 01.01.1990 Country: China

1. Accidental Ingestion of a Toothpick
2. Progression of Symptoms
3. Diagnosis and Surgery
4. Patient's Account
5. Medical Significance

Accidental Ingestion of a Toothpick

Zhou, a 29-year-old Chinese man, accidentally swallowed a toothpick while consuming alcohol. Despite carrying this foreign object in his body for four years, he remained unaware of its presence. The toothpick, approximately six centimeters in length, was later discovered lodged within his right atrium.

Progression of Symptoms

Three to four years after ingesting the toothpick, Zhou's health began to deteriorate significantly. He experienced recurrent bouts of pneumonia and high fever, leading him to seek medical attention. However, doctors were unable to provide an accurate diagnosis, with some suspecting sepsis or leukemia.

Diagnosis and Surgery

In the past month, Zhou consulted the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital in hopes of obtaining a precise diagnosis. Tests revealed a "suspicious shadow" in his right lung and an "excessive growth" in his right atrium. Subsequently, a surgical procedure was recommended to remove the growth. During open-heart surgery on January 9, 2019, surgeons were astonished to find the toothpick embedded in his heart.

Patient's Account

Zhou admitted to being intoxicated at the time of ingesting the toothpick and expressed difficulty in recalling the exact circumstances. He shared another near-miss incident involving a toothpick and alcohol, stating that he managed to remove the object from his throat promptly.

Medical Significance

According to the deputy director of cardiovascular surgery at the People's Hospital, the presence of a foreign object in a patient's heart is highly unusual. If left untreated, such a condition can lead to repeated infections in both the heart and respiratory system. Zhou was fortunate to endure this ordeal without suffering severe complications.