A team of doctors from the "José Martí" Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Sancti Spíritus successfully saved the life of a four-year-old boy from the municipality of Trinidad after he accidentally inhaled a metal piece from a watch.
The incident occurred on December 19, on the eve of the Christmas celebrations, while the minor was playing with a wristwatch, one of its pieces detached and lodged in his right lung, reported Radio Sancti Spíritus on their Youtube channel.
His family immediately took him to the hospital in his municipality, where a X-ray was performed that confirmed the presence of the object in his airway.
Given the seriousness of the situation, he was urgently transferred by an intensive care ambulance to the provincial hospital in Sancti Spíritus.
Dr. Caridad Elena Blanco González, with 33 years of experience in pediatric otolaryngology, and anesthesiologist Ailin Cruz Cinaga, with 12 years of experience, led the medical team that performed the intervention.
The complexity of the procedure increased because the child already had an acute laryngitis, which further inflamed his airways.
“The procedure was extremely delicate, as the extraction of the object had to be done quickly and precisely. Hypoxia, that is, the lack of oxygen, could severely jeopardize the child's life. Fortunately, we managed to extract the piece on the first attempt, which is uncommon in these cases,” explained Dr. Blanco González.
The operation was performed using rigid bronchoscopy, a highly specialized procedure in which an instrument is inserted through the trachea to locate and remove the foreign object.
In this type of surgery, the patient is in apnea, meaning they are not breathing, which turns the procedure into a real race against time.
“When we managed to extract the metallic piece, I felt great relief and thanked God. It doesn’t always work on the first attempt, and in this case, the inflammation of the airway made it even riskier,” reported the otolaryngology specialist.
The child is currently in the recovery process, under medical observation.
Doctors have urged parents to take extra precautions and prevent children from handling small objects that could be inhaled or swallowed.
“Every minute counts in these cases. A foreign object in the airways can cause choking and endanger the child's life within seconds,” warned Dr. Cruz Cinaga.
Cases of Cuban children who have ingested foreign objects and required successful surgical interventions have been reported on several occasions. For example, in April 2024, a two-year-old boy in Ciego de Ávila underwent surgery after inhaling a foreign body that caused total lung atelectasis and acute respiratory failure. The intervention was carried out by local specialists and those from Villa Clara, successfully removing the object and stabilizing the child.
In March 2024, in Santiago de Cuba, a seven-month-old baby underwent surgery to remove a pin that he had swallowed and which had lodged in the lower part of his throat. The operation was performed without complications, and the child was discharged a few days later, showing a favorable recovery.
Recently, the case of Liam Carlos Abreu Arévalo became known, a five-year-old Cuban boy who successfully underwent surgery at a pediatric hospital in Havana after accidentally swallowing a coin that became lodged in his stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Safety and Health in Cuba
How was it possible to save the boy who inhaled a watch part in Sancti Spíritus?
The child was saved thanks to a specialized surgical intervention carried out by a medical team from the "José Martí" Provincial Pediatric Hospital. They used a rigid bronchoscopy to remove the watch piece from his right lung in a delicate operation, which was successfully achieved on the first attempt despite complications from his acute laryngitis.
What are the risks of a child inhaling small objects?
The aspiration of small objects can cause choking and put the child's life at risk in a matter of seconds. It is essential to take precautions to prevent children from handling small objects that could be inhaled or ingested.
What recommendations do Cuban doctors make to prevent similar accidents?
Cuban doctors recommend heightening precautionary measures at home and preventing children from having access to small objects that could be inhaled or ingested. Constant vigilance and education about the risks are essential to prevent these incidents.
What other cases similar to that of the boy from Sancti Spíritus have been reported in Cuba?
There have been several similar cases in Cuba, such as that of a child in Ciego de Ávila who inhaled an object and suffered total atelectasis of the lung, and that of a baby in Santiago de Cuba who swallowed a pin. These incidents highlight the importance of prevention and prompt medical attention in emergency situations.
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