PGIMS, Rohtak doctors extract screw from 3-year-old child's lung without an incision

Rohtak, July 28, 2026: A nearly 3-year-old boy was undergoing treatment for thigh pain after falling off a bed when an examination revealed a metal screw lodged in his airway (within the lung). Remarkably, the child showed no symptoms such as coughing, choking, or even crying due to this object.

This story, which reads like a movie script, is about Anant (name changed), a young boy from Narnaul. The credit for saving this little boy's life goes to the doctors at PGIMS, Rohtak. Providing details of the case, Dr. Raman Wadhera, Senior Professor in the ENT Department at PGIMS, explained that the boy had fractured his left thigh bone after falling from a bed on July 13. Initially, a cast was applied at a hospital in Narnaul, followed by about 8-9 days of treatment at a private hospital. Everything seemed normal to the family until July 23.

However, during a routine chest X-ray performed prior to the scheduled thigh surgery, a metal screw was clearly visible in the lower part of the right lung. The family had no recollection of when or how the child had swallowed it. The child was immediately referred to PGIMS, Rohtak. A CT scan confirmed that the screw was lodged in the right bronchus intermedius. This was a dangerous situation, as the screw could have completely blocked the airway at any moment. Extracting the screw without conventional surgery was a significant challenge, as even the slightest error could have put the child's life at risk.

Accepting the challenge, Dr. Raman Wadhera, Senior Professor in the ENT Department, and his team performed the surgery under general anesthesia using the rigid bronchoscopy technique. During the procedure, a thin endoscope was inserted through the throat to locate the screw—without making any external incision on the body—and it was safely extracted.

Dr. Wadhera stated that the operation, which lasted approximately two hours, was completely successful, and the child is now recovering rapidly. Dr. Wadhera noted that children older than six months often explore objects by putting them in their mouths. Screws, nuts and bolts, coins, batteries, and small toy parts pose the greatest risks to children. He advised that if a child suddenly develops a severe cough, becomes hoarse, or turns irritable for no apparent reason, they should undergo an immediate medical examination.

Expressing satisfaction with the successful surgery, Vice-Chancellor Dr. H.K. Aggarwal stated that PGIMS, Rohtak, is the state's largest and most trusted referral center, where patients with highly complex medical conditions arrive daily from within the state and neighboring regions. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that his priority is to provide patients with world-class diagnostic facilities, modern equipment, and a team of expert doctors—all under one roof. Special efforts are also being made to provide free, high-quality treatment to poor and needy patients through government schemes. Dr. Aggarwal appealed to parents to keep small children away from hazardous items such as screws, coins, batteries, and small toy parts.