Paramedics who arrived at the scene noted an “approximately 3-inch vertical laceration with large amounts of bowel” poking through it.
In a shocking incident, a US man’s colon was put back into his body after it suddenly fell out after a ‘forceful’ sneeze. The 63-year-old was enjoying breakfast at a diner with his wife when the unusual incident occurred. His miraculous medical recovery is documented in a new article published by the American Journal of Medical Case Reports.
In the study, researchers stated that — “During breakfast, the man sneezed forcefully, followed by coughing. He immediately noticed a ‘wet’ sensation and pain in his lower abdomen. Looking down, he observed several loops of pink bowel protruding from his recent surgical site.”
What Happened Next?
According to the reports, the man had battled prostate cancer and had undergone abdominal surgery before the incident took place. On the morning of his bowel “evisceration,” he had sutures taken out of his abdomen. Speaking to the media, the man’s wife stated that after the colon fell out of his body, the man covered the exposed intestines with his shirt while his wife called for an ambulance. Upon their arrival, paramedics saw an “approximately 3-inch vertical laceration with large amounts of bowel” poking through it. Fortunately, the man had not lost much blood, and he was taken quickly to a local hospital.
“In the Emergency Department, the Urology service was consulted immediately. Vital signs were within normal limits. Pre-operative blood tests were obtained and noted to be unchanged from recent comparisons. A nasogastric tube was inserted, and the patient consented to receive an exploratory laparotomy,” the paper added.
To ensure that the abdomen did not pop open again, the three urological surgeons closed it with a sequence of figure-of-eight stitches, which are among the strongest closures. The 63-year-old was in the hospital for six days and put on a normal diet before discharge.
Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
