Surgeons at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital successfully removed a pair of scissors lodged in the chest of a three-year-old girl on 29 October 2026, after the child sustained a penetrating chest injury while playing with her five-year-old brother in Kutch. The girl, daughter of a labourer couple, is now stable and expected to be discharged shortly, according to hospital officials.

How the Injury Occurred

The accident took place at around 11 am on 29 October when the scissors accidentally pierced the toddler's chest during play. She was first taken to a local private hospital, then transferred to another private facility in Gandhidham, where a CT scan was conducted before doctors referred her to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. She reached the tertiary centre at around 10 pm the same night and was taken directly into the operating theatre.

The Surgical Team and Operation

The procedure was led by Assistant Professors Dr Kashvi and Dr Mrunalini, under the supervision of Dr Rakesh Joshi, Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Anaesthetists and supporting medical staff were also part of the team. Hospital officials confirmed the scissors were successfully extracted and the child's condition is stable.

How Close It Came to Catastrophe

Doctors said the outcome could have been far graver had the scissors shifted even marginally. 'The scissors were successfully removed, and the girl is now stable. She is expected to be discharged shortly,' hospital officials said. The medical team noted that a displacement of even an inch upward or sideways could have damaged the windpipe or lungs, or ruptured blood vessels in the intercostal space, causing severe haemorrhage. The child's young age and the relatively low force of impact are credited with preventing the scissors from penetrating the rib bone. 'Had the object gone deeper and crossed the bone, it could have damaged major blood vessels and the windpipe, potentially making the injury life-threatening,' doctors added.

Doctor's Warning to Parents

Dr Rakesh Joshi, who also serves as the hospital's medical superintendent, used the case to issue a public advisory. 'Parents should pay particular attention to what their children play with and continuously monitor their activities. A five-year-old child may not understand how harmful such objects can be,' he said. He further urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if a child suddenly experiences difficulty breathing — a key early warning sign of a chest injury.

A Reminder on Child Safety at Home

Penetrating injuries from household objects, though uncommon, present serious challenges in paediatric emergency care due to the small anatomical margins involved. This case underscores the importance of keeping sharp objects out of reach of young children and acting swiftly when accidents occur. The girl's recovery is being monitored closely by the paediatric surgery team at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.