Doctors at Fortis Hospital Yeshwanthpur saved the life of a two-year-old boy who suffered severe respiratory distress after a peanut shell remained lodged deep inside his airway for nearly 15 days. The delay in diagnosis caused significant inflammation and tissue growth around the foreign body, transforming a routine procedure into a complex two-hour emergency intervention.
Timely Diagnosis Leads to Life-Saving Treatment
Dr. Vivek Gundappa, Clinical Lead – Interventional Pulmonology, and his team successfully removed the peanut shell through an emergency bronchoscopic procedure, an advanced technique that allows doctors to examine and treat the airways using a thin camera-equipped tube. The case highlights the hospital’s expertise in managing critical pediatric airway emergencies, where delayed diagnosis can quickly become life-threatening.
The child arrived at the hospital with persistent fever, severe cough, breathlessness, and worsening respiratory distress. His parents had initially sought treatment at multiple local hospitals, where doctors treated him for a respiratory infection. However, after conducting a chest X-ray and CT scan, the Fortis team identified a foreign body lodged in the airway, causing overinflation of one lung. Further evaluation revealed that the child had accidentally inhaled a peanut shell nearly two weeks earlier.
Precision Procedure Ensures Safe Recovery
Given the extremely narrow airway of a two-year-old, the medical team carefully removed the shell without damaging the airway or lung tissue. After the procedure, doctors closely monitored the child on ventilatory support overnight in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). He recovered steadily, resumed normal breathing, and was discharged in stable condition four days later.
As per the press release, foreign body aspiration remains one of the leading causes of respiratory emergencies in young children, making early diagnosis and timely intervention essential to prevent severe complications.
Doctors Stress the Importance of Early Detection
Dr. Vivek Gundappa said, “Foreign body aspiration is a medical emergency that can rapidly become life-threatening, especially in young children. In this case, the delayed presentation made the procedure significantly more challenging because inflamed tissue had tightly embedded the peanut shell. Our multidisciplinary team’s precision, patience, and coordination ensured a successful outcome while preventing serious complications.”
Dr. Uzair Baig, Consultant – Pulmonology, added, “Aspiration is often difficult to diagnose, particularly when no adult witnesses the incident. Children with persistent cough, fever, wheezing, or breathing difficulties that do not improve with routine treatment should always be evaluated for possible airway foreign body aspiration. Early bronchoscopic intervention can prevent long-term lung damage and other life-threatening complications.”
Family Expresses Gratitude
The child’s parents said, “Watching our son struggle to breathe without knowing the cause was terrifying. The doctors at Fortis Hospital Yeshwanthpur quickly identified the problem, reassured us throughout the treatment, and gave our child a second chance. Seeing him healthy and playful again is the greatest relief for our family.”
Hospital Highlights Multidisciplinary Care
Mr. Lokesh Taridalu Shivakumar, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Yeshwanthpur, said, “This successful outcome reflects our hospital’s ability to manage complex pediatric emergencies through advanced technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and coordinated critical care. We remain committed to delivering the highest standards of clinical excellence.”