A resident of Sharjah who accidentally inhaled a fish bone while eating experienced breathing problems for almost two months before doctors discovered it lodged in his airways in the right lung.
Unnikrishnan Sivaraman, 60, reported swallowing a milkfish bone on July 1. Shortly after, he felt unwell, experienced nausea, and began coughing up blood. He sought care at Aster Hospital in Al Qusais.
However, the problem did not disappear. Sivaraman continued to cough and experience chest congestion, and his breathing became increasingly difficult. He decided to seek further medical attention.
A CT scan at another hospital revealed that the bone was stuck in the lower respiratory tract. He was referred back to Aster Hospital in Al Qusais, and subsequently to Aster Hospital Mankhur for treatment.
Doctors confirmed that the nearly 2 cm bone was located in the right main bronchus—the airway leading to the right lung. It remained there for almost two months. During this time, inflammation and granulation tissue formed around it.
Due to its position and sharp edges, removal posed a risk. Doctors warned of the possibility of injuring the airway wall or adjacent structures, which could cause bleeding, airway obstruction during the procedure, or difficulty maintaining a stable oxygen level for the patient.
The procedure was planned by pulmonologist Dr. Jolsana Augustine, ENT specialist Dr. Bharat Neranki Satish Rao, and anesthesiologists Dr. Abhishek Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr. Siraj Madayi Mithel.
On September 11, Augustine used a bronchoscope to move the bone from the right main bronchus towards the upper airways. Then, Dr. Rao used forceps to extract the bone, carefully monitoring the protection of the vocal cords. The doctors performed another bronchoscopy to check the airways and clear secretions.
Augustine noted: 'When a foreign body remains in the airways for a long time, inflammation and granulation tissue can complicate removal.' She added that the size, sharp edges, and location of the bone required controlled movements.
Dr. Rao emphasized that the final stage was delicate because the bone was close to the vocal cords. He stated that their goal was to remove it while ensuring the protection of these structures.
Sivaraman was discharged a few hours later in stable condition. During a follow-up examination, he reported that his breathing had improved and no further treatment was necessary.
He expressed gratitude to the doctors: 'I am very grateful to the doctors for the care and support I received. I am very satisfied with my recovery and significant improvement in breathing and overall condition.'
