Metal object stuck in baby's throat.

Can you imagine having a foreign object lodged half way down your throat?  This 19 month old baby boy from the North Rupununi swallowed a sharp metal object that became lodged in his esophagus.  He was rushed from his home village to the Boa Vista hospital where ENT specialists were unable to remove to object due to bleeding and the high risks involved in surgery.  It is very unusual for such a case to be refused by the advanced Brazilian medical facilities.

The RAM aircraft was called into action once more to rush the child and his mother to Georgetown.  Since he was unable to swallow food, a feeding tube had to be inserted through his nose by the doctors at Lethem Hospital. The x-ray above was taken in flight and clearly shows the challenge that faced the physicians at Georgtown Public Hospital (GPHC).   

Immediately upon arrival he was taken to the operating theater where it took more than an hour under general anesthesia for the team to eventually remove the foreign body.   Because of his associated injuries the child was kept in the Intensive Care Unit for the days following until he had stabilized fully.  Congratulations are due to the brave and skillful team at Georgetown Public Hospital.