A 56-year-old man from Damoh suffered breathing distress after artificial teeth became lodged in his throat during sleep. Doctors at Sagar’s Bundelkhand Medical College removed the obstruction using oesophagoscopy and prevented a potentially fatal airway blockage.

Midnight Medical Emergency

A timely intervention by doctors at Bundelkhand Medical College (BMC) in Sagar helped save the life of a 56-year-old man after a set of artificial teeth became stuck in his throat while he was asleep, causing his oxygen levels to fall dangerously.

The patient, identified as Ramdas from Damoh district, reportedly uses three artificial front teeth. According to hospital officials, he forgot to remove the dental appliance before going to bed. During the night, he suddenly experienced breathing difficulty and felt something lodged in his throat.

As his condition worsened, family members rushed him to the ENT department at BMC in Sagar for emergency treatment.

Challenge During Diagnosis

Doctors said the case posed an immediate challenge because the artificial teeth were made of plastic material and did not appear clearly in the initial X-ray examination.

Dr Saurabh Jain, media in-charge at BMC, said the patient's description of the incident proved crucial in helping doctors identify the likely cause of the obstruction and begin treatment without delay.

Medical teams quickly assessed the situation as the patient continued to experience respiratory distress.

Oxygen Levels Falling

Further evaluation revealed that the dental appliance had become lodged near the opening of both the food pipe and the windpipe, creating a serious risk to breathing.

Doctors noted that the patient’s oxygen saturation levels were dropping repeatedly, indicating that the obstruction was interfering with normal airflow.

Had the blockage worsened, it could have completely closed the airway and resulted in a life-threatening situation, hospital authorities said.

Oesophagoscopy Used

The removal procedure was carried out by Dr Neetu Bajaj, Associate Professor in the ENT Department, using the oesophagoscopy technique.

Doctors successfully extracted all three connected artificial teeth along with their retaining clip without causing further injury to the patient.

Given the complexity of the case, the procedure was performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthesia team, including Dr Sarvesh Jain and Dr Deepak Gupta, assisted throughout the operation.

Hospital officials described the procedure as both delicate and urgent because of the location of the lodged object and the patient’s declining oxygen levels.

Doctors Warn Denture Users

Following the successful treatment, ENT specialists advised people who use removable dentures, dental implants, or temporary dental devices to exercise caution before sleeping.

Doctors stressed that such appliances should always be removed at night to prevent accidental swallowing or aspiration during sleep.

They noted that even a brief lapse in precaution can lead to severe complications requiring emergency medical intervention.

Patient Discharged Safely

After the procedure, the patient was kept under observation and monitored for recovery. Hospital authorities said he responded well to treatment and showed no signs of further complications.

BMC Dean Dr P.S. Thakur praised the medical team for their prompt response and expertise in handling the emergency. He said the incident highlighted the importance of specialist care and round-the-clock emergency services available at the institution.

After receiving medical advice and being informed about necessary precautions, the patient was discharged from the hospital in stable condition.

Importance of Early Treatment

Medical experts say foreign objects lodged near the airway can rapidly become life-threatening if not treated promptly. The Sagar case serves as a reminder that users of removable artificial teeth should follow recommended safety measures, particularly before going to sleep.

The successful oesophagoscopy procedure at BMC ensured that the artificial teeth were removed in time, preventing a potentially fatal airway obstruction.