Surgeons remove 39 coins, 37 magnets from Delhi youth’s intestine

New Delhi: In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at Sir Gangaram Hospital here, have successfully extracted 39 coins and 37 magnets from the intestine of a 26-year-old schizophrenia patient.

The patient, who believed that ingesting zinc from the coins would help “build his body”, was discharged two days ago after a week of post-surgery hospitalization, informed the doctors.

As reported by TOI, the patient, a resident of Delhi, had consumed coins of Rs 1, 2 and 5 denominations, along with magnets of various shapes, including heart, sphere, star, bullet and triangle.

Dr Tarun Mittal, senior consultant in laparoscopic, laser & general surgery, explained that the patient thought zinc in the coins would aid in bodybuilding, and the magnets would ensure the coins stayed in the intestine to absorb the zinc.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Mittal emphasised the life-threatening consequences of ingesting foreign bodies and urged people not to engage in such practices. The patient had initially sought medical attention due to repeated vomiting, abdominal pain and an inability to eat.

Relatives informed doctors that the patient had consumed coins and magnets over a span of 20-22 days. X-rays and a CT scan revealed radio opaque shadows in the shape of coins and magnets, causing an intestinal blockage.

Dr Mittal and his team performed a nearly two-hour-long surgery, discovering the foreign objects in two different loops of the small intestine. The magnetic effect had pulled the loops together, causing erosion. The team successfully extracted all the coins and magnets, rejoined the loops and ensured the patient’s recovery.