Seven-Year-Old Student Swallows Eraser Spring – How He Was Saved

A dramatic incident unfolded in Greece, where a seven-year-old boy's life hung in the balance after he accidentally swallowed a small spring from a mechanical eraser. The object, lodged in his right lung, presented a grave danger, underscoring the pervasive risks associated with children and small household items.

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The parents brought the child to the hospital, after intense coughing and with mild respiratory symptoms.

According to otolaryngologist Minas Artopoulos, who performed the delicate procedure, the boy presented with severe coughing and mild respiratory distress. The spring, measuring 12mm in length and 5mm in diameter, had become lodged in the main bronchus of his right lung, a discovery that surprised medical staff.

Swift medical intervention was crucial. The child underwent a 15-minute bronchoscopy using a rigid bronchoscope, during which the foreign object was safely extracted without further compromising his airway. Thankfully, the young student was discharged hours later, fully recovered, a testament to the skill and promptness of the medical team.

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They told me that the young student, while studying, swallowed a spring from an eraser with a mechanism, which he had disassembled and put in his mouth.

This alarming event serves as a stark reminder for parents across Greece and beyond about the potential dangers lurking in everyday objects. Experts emphasize that while swallowed objects often pass through the digestive system, aspiration into the lungs can be fatal. The article details the signs parents should watch for, including persistent coughing, wheezing on one side of the chest, and unilateral diminished breath sounds, urging immediate medical attention if such symptoms arise.

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After immediate mobilization, the child underwent a 15-minute bronchoscopy with a rigid bronchoscope and the spring was safely removed, without endangering the airway.