South Africa: Chicken Bone Turns Sunday Lunch Into Nine-Day Hospital Stay

Dorothy Khomo, a resident of Duduza township in Gauteng's East Rand, was hospitalized for nine days after a chicken bone became lodged in her throat. The incident occurred after she had eaten with her family and went to bed. Despite her sister's advice to eat brown bread to dislodge the bone, Khomo's condition worsened. By Monday, she could barely speak, her neck had swollen, and her temperature was high.

She was referred to Pholosong Regional Hospital, but instead of immediate treatment, she was sent home. The next day, a scan confirmed the bone's presence, leading to an emergency operation to remove it. While most swallowed bones pass through the digestive system, sharp ones can cause serious complications. Khomo was fed through a tube post-operation and gradually reintroduced soft foods.

She now pays closer attention to her eating habits, though she continues to consume chicken bones with caution. Emergency medical experts recommend seeking help if you suspect a chicken bone has been swallowed. Chicken, often consumed in various ways in Southern African cultures, poses a food safety hazard due to potential bone fragments.