Man in Delhi swallows 39 coins and 37 magnets, believing zinc aids in body-building

A 26-year-old man in Delhi ingested 39 coins and 37 magnets under the mistaken belief that zinc aids in body-building, according to a report by news wire agency ANI.

The incident came to light when the patient sought treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s emergency ward, complaining of persistent vomiting and abdominal pain for over 20 days, along with an inability to eat. Dr. Tarun Mittal, a senior consultant, initially examined the patient in the outpatient department. The patient’s relatives revealed that he had been swallowing coins and magnets for several weeks and was also receiving treatment for a known psychiatric condition.

An x-ray of the patient’s abdomen revealed the presence of coins and magnets, causing intestinal obstruction. A subsequent CT scan confirmed the accumulation of foreign objects, necessitating immediate surgical intervention.

During the surgery, it was discovered that the magnets and coins had formed two separate loops in the small intestine, with the magnets adhering to the coins and eroding the intestinal wall. The foreign objects were removed, and the affected intestinal loops were reconnected through separate anastomoses. Additionally, a large quantity of coins and magnets was found in the stomach, requiring exploration and repair.

A total of 39 coins (in denominations of Rs 1, 2, and 5) and 37 magnets (of various shapes including heart, spherical, star, bullet, and triangle) were extracted from the patient’s stomach.

Following the surgery, an operative X-ray confirmed the successful removal of all foreign bodies. The patient recovered well and was discharged after a seven-day hospital stay.

The man, reportedly suffering from a psychiatric illness, believed that zinc in the coins would aid in body-building. He ingested the magnets to ensure that the coins remained in the intestine for better zinc absorption.

The medical team at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital included Dr. Tarun Mittal, Dr. Ashish Dey, Dr. Anmol Ahuja (consultants), Dr. Vikram Singh (clinical assistant), Dr. Tanushree, and Dr. Karthik (residents).