Doctors at Aster Hospital Mankhool in Dubai have successfully removed a nearly 2-cm fish bone that remained lodged in a 60-year-old patient’s airway for almost two months, causing persistent coughing, chest congestion and increasing breathing difficulties.
The patient, Unnikrishnan Sivaraman, an Indian expatriate living in Sharjah, accidentally aspirated a milkfish bone while eating on 1 July 2026. Despite seeking medical attention, his symptoms continued, and a subsequent CT scan identified the foreign body lodged in his right main bronchus.
Dr. Jolsana Augustine, Specialist Pulmonologist, Aster Hospital Mankhool, said, “When a foreign body remains in the airway for a prolonged period, inflammation and granulation tissue can make removal more challenging. In this case, the size, sharp edges and location of the fish bone required careful planning and controlled manipulation. Close coordination between the Pulmonology, ENT and Anesthesia teams was essential for its safe removal while minimising the risk of airway injury or bleeding.”
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Dr. Bharath Neranki Satish Rao, Specialist ENT, Aster Hospital Mankhool, said, “The sharp edges of the fish bone and its proximity to the vocal cords made the final stage of extraction particularly delicate. Our focus was to remove the foreign body safely while protecting the vocal cord structures. The successful outcome was made possible by careful coordination between the Pulmonology, ENT and Anesthesia teams throughout the procedure.”
Referred to Aster Hospital Mankhool for specialised treatment, the patient underwent a carefully planned procedure on 11 September. The prolonged presence of the sharp fish bone had caused local inflammation and granulation tissue, increasing the risk of airway injury and bleeding during removal.
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A multidisciplinary team from Pulmonology, ENT and Anaesthesia coordinated the intervention. Dr Jolsana Augustine, Specialist Pulmonologist, performed bronchoscopy to mobilise the fish bone towards the upper airway. Dr Bharath Neranki Satish Rao, Specialist ENT, then used direct laryngoscopy and specialised forceps to extract it while protecting the vocal cords. Dr Abhishek Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr Siraj Madayi Meethel provided anaesthesia support.
The procedure was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged in a stable condition within hours. At follow-up, he reported significant improvement in his breathing and overall condition.
The case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, careful procedural planning and multidisciplinary teamwork when managing complex airway foreign bodies.
