Rare Procedure at University Hospital
Urologists at the Lviv National Medical University Hospital named after Danylo Halytskyi performed an extraordinary operation to extract a mercury thermometer from the bladder of a 42-year-old patient. The object had been lodged inside her body for eight years. The discovery came during an ultrasound exam prompted by severe, persistent pain in her lower abdomen, which revealed a stone-like growth.
Following the ultrasound, doctors ordered a CT scan, which confirmed the diagnosis. Urologist Vasyl Matviiv explained:
“During the ultrasound, we saw a formation in the bladder resembling a large stone with a rod inside. To determine its exact nature, we referred the woman for a CT scan. The CT provided a clear answer: there was a mercury thermometer in the bladder, which over the years had become completely encrusted with stone.” - Vasyl Matviiv
In the first stage of surgical treatment, the team successfully removed both the thermometer and the salt stone that had formed around it. The patient, a resident of the Lviv region, now requires further treatment and rehabilitation. For ethical reasons, the hospital has not disclosed how the thermometer entered her body.
Challenging Medical Cases in Lviv
This case is not the only notable one handled by Lviv medical professionals. Recently, local doctors also performed surgery on a baby weighing just 750 grams, born at 25 weeks of pregnancy, who suffered a brain hemorrhage and developed hydrocephalus. In Kyiv, physicians saved a 5-year-old girl who swallowed 17 magnetic beads. These incidents highlight the complexities and challenges facing medical practitioners, as well as the critical importance of timely care.
The thermometer removal case underscores not only the intricacy of the surgical intervention but also the value of regular medical check-ups. Foreign objects left in the body can lead to severe complications, making early diagnosis and treatment essential for patient health. This event further emphasizes the need for greater awareness around the safe use of household items and their potential health risks.
This remarkable case in Lviv is reminiscent of a similar incident involving a man in China, where surgeons successfully removed a thermometer that had been swallowed 20 years prior. Such extraordinary medical challenges emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention. To explore another fascinating story of surgical precision, read more about the long-term consequences of foreign object ingestion.