Rajkot: Toddler who swallowed coconut gets new life

RAJKOT: Two successful lung surgeries gave a new lease of life to a toddler whose condition turned critical after swallowing a piece of coconut that he couldn’t bite into.
The boy, Divyaraj Chudasama, was discharged after 17 days from Rajkot Civil Hospital whose doctors performed the complicated surgery.
He was brought in a critical condition with severe breathing problems and coughing. The X-ray report revealed something that was stuck in his lungs and the CT scan report showed his condition was critical. The left side lung dwindled and was putting immense pressuring the right lung.
“Due to the swelling in his lung, the trachea was blocked and he was required to operate. There was a risk that the child may become brain dead or his heart may stop functioning if we give anesthesia. As the oxygen level was drastically low during operation, so we had to perform surgery in two parts,” said Dr Sejal Mistry, associate professor of ENT department of civil hospital.
The pus was first removed using a special machine by suction and thereafter the doctors had to take a break for four days because the oxygen level was nearly zero. The coconut was stuck in the right side of his lung.
Later, they performed the second surgery and removed the coconut with the help of forceps, carefully ensuring that lungs and trachea are not damaged.
“The surgery of this child tested our passion, but we are happy that we could save the child who was suffering for the last three weeks,” said Dr Mistry.
Nimish Chudasama, the boy’s father, said, “The doctors assuraed us to to do their and we are thankful that now my child is out of danger.”