A team of doctors from the Mawkyrwat Civil Hospital successfully removed a 2 inches bony flap of a fish lodged inside the throat of a 29-year-old resident of Jakrem village, South West Khasi Hills district.
The patient, Goldenstar Kharsyiemiong, had the flap, which is a covering over gills of a fish called operculum, while on a fishing trip to Ranikor on October 4.
He told reporters that he had tried to swallow a ball of rice to let it travel down on its own but failed. This prompted him to rush to Ranikor CHC, who had then referred him to the civil hospital.
Kharsyiemiong said he did not turn up to the referred hospital, until October 6 when he was unable to swallow food.
At the hospital, the patient underwent an endoscopy which confirmed the presence of the flap embedded in the oesophagus.
Junior surgeon, Dr Daniel Suting said following tests it was decided that the flap had to be surgically removed. He said a rigid endoscope was conducted under general anaesthesia, during which the bone was successfully extracted.
The Mawkyrwat Civil Hospital inaugurated last year had successfully conducted a couple of surgeries that patients of the district no longer have to seek assistance by going all the way to Shillong to get themselves treated.
However, there are many requirements that the government need to address in terms of medical equipment in order to strengthen the health care delivery system.
Meanwhile, Kharsyiemiong also lauded the doctors of the hospital for the efforts put in for providing him the extra care needed.
He said the establishment of the civil hospital has been a boon as he would have shelved money and time to get himself treated outside the district.
