Man Hospitalized After Dislodged Dental Equipment Fell Into His Throat

SINGAPORE: A routine dental procedure took an unexpected turn, leading to a man’s hospitalization for several days. The incident occurred on the morning of May 28th at the Jurong Polyclinic in Singapore, where a patient, identified only as Mr. W, was undergoing a tooth filling procedure.

During the procedure, a startling mishap occurred when a part of the dentist’s equipment became dislodged and fell into Mr. W’s throat. The 51-year-old patient, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Rina, was immediately referred to the emergency department of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Radiological Investigations and Monitoring

Upon admission, Mr. W underwent several scans over the course of a few days as medical professionals carefully monitored the location of the swallowed object. As Ms. Rina recounted, “It was only the next day that they tried to retrieve the item with a scope, but the attempt failed because it was too late.” The scans revealed that the object had made its way into Mr. W’s small intestines.

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While the situation was undoubtedly distressing for the couple, the medical team opted for a conservative approach, allowing time for the object to pass naturally through the digestive system. “The doctors tried to reassure me that there is no bleeding. Only if there is bleeding, then they will operate,” Ms. Rina shared.

Reassurance and Compensation from Polyclinic

In a gesture of goodwill and accountability, representatives from the polyclinic visited Mr. W on May 30th, bearing a fruit basket and assuring him that the medical expenses incurred would be covered by the institution. Ms. Rina, however, expressed her concerns, stating, “It is totally unfair” that they had to undertake the financial responsibility initially when the incident was not their fault.

After a week-long ordeal, Ms. Rina texted with relief, “He gave birth this morning!” indicating that the object had finally been passed naturally, allowing Mr. W to be discharged from the hospital on June 3rd. While the experience was undoubtedly traumatic, the National University Polyclinics (NUP) spokesman acknowledged the rarity of such incidents and emphasized the strict adherence to safety guidelines and protocols by dental professionals.

As the dust settles on this unusual case, it serves as a reminder of the importance of patient safety and the need for heightened vigilance in medical settings, even during routine procedures.

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