Doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital have successfully extracted a tooth that had been lodged in the airway of a 47-year-old man from Panchmahal district for nearly one and a half years, using an advanced bronchoscopic procedure that was completed in just two minutes. The case, described by specialists as extremely rare in adults, has drawn attention to the risks of prolonged foreign body aspiration going undetected.

How the Tooth Ended Up in the Airway

The patient, identified as Balvantbhai, had a tooth fall out naturally approximately 18 months ago. According to him, the tooth accidentally slipped into his airway while he was drinking water at the time. The condition remained undiagnosed for well over a year, as symptoms were initially mild or absent.

It was only in the past month that Balvantbhai began experiencing persistent coughing and severe breathing difficulties, prompting him to seek specialised care. He was admitted to the hospital's Pulmonary Medicine Department on 20 July, and medical examination confirmed that the tooth had become deeply embedded in one of the branches of his airway.

The Multidisciplinary Procedure

Given the complexity and rarity of the case, specialists from three departments — Pulmonary Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), and Anaesthesia — jointly devised a treatment plan. On 23 July, the team carried out the procedure in the operation theatre using an advanced bronchoscopic technique, removing the tooth without complications in just two minutes.

The procedure was performed under the supervision of Dr Nalin Shah, Head of the Pulmonary Medicine Department. The medical team included ENT Department Professor Dr Kalpesh Patel and Dr Bela Prajapati, Pulmonary Medicine Associate Professor Dr Dhrumin Prajapati and Assistant Professor Dr Bharti Italia, and Head of Anaesthesia Dr Tripti Shah.

What the Doctors Said

Dr Nalin Shah described the case as highly unusual, noting that foreign body aspiration is far more commonly seen in young children than in adults. 'Generally, cases of foreign bodies becoming lodged in the airway are seen in young children. However, a tooth remaining stuck in the airway of a 47-year-old adult for one and a half years is extremely rare. If any foreign body remains in the airway for a prolonged period, it can cause infection and permanent damage to the lungs. Therefore, anyone experiencing persistent cough or breathing difficulties for a long time should seek advice from a specialist doctor without delay,' he said.

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi credited the outcome to inter-departmental coordination and access to advanced equipment. 'The coordinated efforts of the Pulmonary Medicine, ENT and Anaesthesia departments, along with advanced medical technology, gave the patient a new lease of life. The patient was discharged in a completely healthy condition on the day after treatment without any complications. This successful procedure is an example of the expertise of the hospital's specialist doctors and its advanced medical facilities,' he said.

Patient Discharged the Next Day

Balvantbhai was discharged in full health on 24 July, just one day after the procedure, with no reported complications. Doctors say the case underscores the importance of not ignoring prolonged respiratory symptoms, which can mask serious underlying conditions such as foreign body obstruction in adults.

Medical experts note that delayed diagnosis of airway foreign bodies in adults carries significant risk — extended retention can lead to recurrent chest infections, lung abscess, or irreversible pulmonary damage. The swift resolution in this case was made possible by early escalation to a specialist centre once symptoms became acute.