A 12-year-old girl from Bengaluru underwent gastro surgery after ingesting a 'smoky paan', containing liquid nitrogen, as reported by Times of India. The girl experienced intense stomach pain initially, prompting medical intervention due to the discovery of a hole in her stomach. Reportedly, the girl was intrigued by the sight of people exhaling smoke after indulging in the 'smoky paan' and decided to give it a try.
As per reports, this popular street food item is readily available at various stalls across Bengaluru. After consuming it, she immediately felt unwell. Reflecting on her experience, she mentioned, "I wanted to join in with others trying the smoky paan, but soon after eating it, I felt discomfort that escalated into severe stomach pain. While seemed unaffected, I felt sick".
Doctors diagnosed her condition as perforation peritonitis, signifying a hole in her stomach, advising immediate surgical intervention to prevent further complications. "Intra-op OGD scopy is a procedure where, a flexible tube with a camera and light, are used during surgery to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum-the first part of the small intestine," stated Dr Vijay HS, the lead surgeon from the surgical department team of Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, according to The Times of India.
"We must address such isolated incidents promptly to prevent them from recurring." Dr Vijay added, highlighting the importance of vigilance in such matters. Following six days of hospitalisation, the girl was discharged.
According to the Hospital, "Liquid nitrogen, with a liquid-to-gas expansion ratio of 1: 694 at 20 degrees Celsius, poses significant health risks". "The rapid vaporisation of liquid nitrogen in an enclosed space generates immense force. This volatile chemical can damage the skin and present severe health hazards to chefs and other food handlers. Inhaling the vapours can lead to breathing difficulties, and there have been reports of tissue damage due to hazardoud nature of liquid nitrogen," the Hospital said in a statement.
The incident adds to a small but concerning list of cases where persons have experienced adverse effects after consuming food and beverages infused with liquid nitrogen. Typically used in sizzlers at restaurants to create a smoky effect, liquid nitrogen demands caution from both consumers and food handlers alike.
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