Dubai doctors remove 2cm fish bone lodged in man’s airway for two months
The 60-year-old Sharjah resident suffered persistent coughing and breathing difficulties after accidentally inhaling the fish bone in July
26 October, 2026
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Doctors at Aster Hospital Mankhool in Dubai have successfully removed a nearly 2cm fish bone that remained lodged in a patient’s airway for more than two months, causing persistent coughing, chest congestion and breathing difficulties.
The patient, 60-year-old Indian expatriate Unnikrishnan Sivaraman, who lives in Sharjah, accidentally inhaled a milkfish bone while eating on July 1, 2026.
Following the incident, he experienced discomfort, severe nausea and blood-stained vomiting, prompting a visit to the emergency department at Aster Hospital Al Qusais.
However, his symptoms persisted over the following weeks, including a worsening cough, chest congestion and increasing difficulty breathing.
A subsequent CT scan conducted at another hospital revealed that the fish bone had become lodged in the right main bronchus, the airway leading into the right lung.
The patient was subsequently referred to Aster Hospital Mankhool on August 26 for specialised treatment.
Fish bone causes inflammation in patient’s airway
According to the hospital, the fish bone’s prolonged presence had caused significant local inflammation and the formation of granulation tissue around the foreign object.
Its size, sharp edges and position made removal particularly challenging, with doctors identifying potential risks including bleeding, airway injury and sudden obstruction during extraction.
A multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in pulmonology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), and anaesthesia developed a treatment plan to safely remove the bone.
Dr Jolsana Augustine, Specialist Pulmonologist at Aster Hospital Mankhool, performed a bronchoscopy to carefully move the fish bone from the right main bronchus towards the upper airway.
Dr Bharath Neranki Satish Rao, Specialist ENT, subsequently used direct laryngoscopy and specialised forceps to extract the bone while protecting the patient’s vocal cords.
The procedure was supported by anaesthesia specialists Dr Abhishek Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr Siraj Madayi Meethel.
A follow-up bronchoscopy was performed to examine the airway and clear remaining secretions.
Dubai doctors complete complex procedure
Dr Augustine said the prolonged presence of the foreign object had complicated its removal.
“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.”
Dr Rao highlighted the challenges associated with extracting the sharp object near the vocal cords.
“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.”
Patient discharged hours after procedure
The procedure was successfully completed on September 11, 2026, and the patient was discharged in stable condition within a few hours.
During a subsequent follow-up consultation, Sivaraman reported significant improvement in his breathing and overall health, with no further medical treatment required.
“I am very thankful to Dr. Jolsana, Dr. Bharath and the entire team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for the care and support I received. Dr. Jolsana explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable throughout the treatment. I am very happy with my recovery and the significant improvement in my breathing and overall condition,” he said.
The hospital said the case highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis and coordinated specialist care when treating foreign objects lodged in the lower respiratory tract.
While fish bones are commonly associated with accidental ingestion, this case involved aspiration into the airway, requiring a more complex extraction procedure.
