Pune, June 16: Doctors at Manipal Hospital Kharadi successfully removed an open hairpin from the digestive tract of a 1.5–month–old baby boy through an emergency endoscopic procedure, preventing a potentially serious complication.
The infant was brought to the hospital nearly two hours after accidentally ingesting a hairpin while at home. An immediate X-ray of the abdomen revealed that the hairpin had reached the distal stomach or proximal small intestine. The case was considered a medical emergency as the hairpin was open, increasing the risk of perforation of the stomach or small intestine.
The hairpin was successfully retrieved using specialized tooth forceps without causing any injury to the digestive tract.
Speaking about the case, Dr Aditya Borawake, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune, said, “Considering the critical nature of the case, we decided to perform an emergency endoscopy. During the procedure, the foreign body could not be located up to the second part of the duodenum (D2), which is the usual extent of a routine gastroscopy. We carefully advanced further into the small intestine and eventually located the open hairpin deep in the fourth part of the duodenum (D4).”
Further he added, “Foreign body ingestion in infants can become a medical emergency, especially when the object is sharp or pointed. In this case, the hairpin was open, which significantly increased the risk of intestinal perforation. The procedure was particularly challenging because the foreign body had migrated deep into the duodenum, beyond the usual reach of routine endoscopy. Timely intervention helped us remove the object safely before any complications could occur.”
Following the procedure, the baby remained stable and was started on oral feeds after four hours. He tolerated the feeds well and was discharged the following day in good condition.
Dr Amit Mane, Director, Manipal Hospitals, Pune, said, “This case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when a child accidentally ingests a foreign object. The successful removal of an open hairpin from such a young infant reflects the expertise of our clinical team and our readiness to handle complex emergencies with advanced minimally invasive procedures. At Manipal Hospitals, we remain committed to delivering timely and specialized care to patients of all age groups.”
The baby recovered well without any complications and continues to do well on follow-up.