A 46-year-old man in China has shocked doctors after it was discovered that a chopstick had been lodged in his throat for eight years without causing life-threatening complications.
The man, identified only as Wang, reportedly swallowed the 12-centimeter chopstick in 2018 while he was drunk at home during dinner.
After the incident, Wang initially went to the hospital where doctors informed him that surgery would be required to remove the object. However, he refused the procedure because he feared undergoing surgery on his neck.
As a result, Wang lived with the chopstick stuck in his throat for years, enduring discomfort and difficulty swallowing but avoiding further medical treatment due to fear of surgery.
According to the South China Morning Post, Wang’s condition worsened in March 2026 when swallowing became increasingly difficult, prompting him to seek medical help again.
He went to Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, where he informed doctors about the chopstick lodged in his throat. Doctor Huang Weipeng initially doubted the claim, believing it was a recent issue, but was surprised to learn the object had been there for eight years.
Doctors eventually performed a minimally invasive procedure, inserting surgical instruments through the mouth instead of cutting the neck. This approach convinced Wang to undergo the operation.
Fortunately, the chopstick had not damaged critical structures in his throat, including areas related to speech and other vital functions. After the successful procedure, Wang was discharged from the hospital a few days later and is expected to recover fully.
The unusual story has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many people expressing disbelief that someone could live for eight years with a chopstick lodged in their throat without severe complications.