Runi Khatun, a 22-year-old woman from West Bengal, India, was rushed to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital due to extreme abdominal pain. She was unable to eat and was severely emaciated, making it difficult for doctors to operate immediately.
After stabilizing her, doctors performed surgery and were shocked to find over $64,000 worth of jewelry and coins in her stomach.
The Baffling Operation
Upon her arrival at the hospital, tests revealed metal in Khatun’s stomach, but the actual hoard was discovered during surgery. Dr. Siddhartha Biswas led the operation and removed 1.6 kg of metal jewelry, coins, a watch, and other items from her stomach, explaining her inability to digest food properly.
Dr. Biswas stated: “The patient was in critical condition and required extensive stabilization before the operation could proceed. Her recovery involved multiple blood transfusions and Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) to provide nutrition artificially.”
The operation lasted one hour and 15 minutes, during which 69 chains, 80 earrings, 11 nose rings, eight lockets, five anklets, 46 coins, and a watch were extracted from her stomach.
Why was the Jewelry in Her Stomach?
It is believed that Khatun may be suffering from pica, an eating disorder where individuals consume non-food items. Her family suspects she took the items from her brother’s jewelry shop, despite denying it when confronted.
Khatun’s mother acknowledged her daughter’s deteriorating health over the past two months, despite their efforts to seek medical help unsuccessfully before her admission to Rampurhat Government Hospital.
Pica: An Unusual Eating Disorder
Pica is a condition characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances. Khatun’s case highlights the potential dangers and health implications of this disorder.
This disorder is often associated with underlying mental health issues and can be challenging to diagnose. Treatment typically involves addressing nutritional deficiencies and providing behavioral interventions to prevent further consumption of non-food items.
The Health Consequences of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, such as pica, can have severe health consequences that affect various bodily systems. Early intervention and treatment are crucial in ensuring physical and emotional recovery for individuals struggling with these disorders.
Sources
- Sophie Law. Doctors remove 3lbs of coins and jewellery from compulsive eater’s stomach July 25, 2019
- Abigail O’Leary. Doctors remove hundreds of coins and jewellery worth £53k from woman’s stomach July 26, 2019
- Gemma Mullin. Baffled docs remove £53k worth of jewellery and coins from woman’s stomach July 25, 2019
- Gretchen Holm. What Causes Pica? February 29, 2016
- National Eating Disorder Association. Pica
- National Eating Disorder Association. Health Consequences of Eating Disorders.
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