Dubai doctors remove 2cm fish bone lodged in Sharjah man's airway for months

A 60-year-old Indian expatriate, Unnikrishnan Sivaraman, had a 2cm fish bone lodged in his airway for nearly two months, causing persistent cough, congestion, and breathing difficulties. The bone went unnoticed by Mr Sivaraman, who only visited a hospital after his condition worsened. Doctors at Aster Hospital Mankhool in Dubai identified the foreign body through a CT scan, which revealed the inflammation and granulation tissue surrounding the bone.

Dr Jolsana Augustine, a pulmonologist, explained that while foreign bodies in the airway are common, finding a fish bone stuck there for such a prolonged period was unusual. The removal procedure required careful planning and execution, involving a bronchoscopy to extract the bone using specialized forceps. After the successful surgery, Mr Sivaraman reported significant improvements in his breathing and overall health.

The incident serves as a reminder to be cautious while eating fish, especially varieties with small or sharp bones, and to chew carefully to avoid such health complications.