A 49-year-old factory worker from Guangzhou, China, died after inserting a half-metre-long eel into his anus to treat constipation, according to a lawsuit. The man, identified as Mr Liu, was rushed to Guangzhou Dongren Hospital last week complaining of severe stomach ache.
Doctors were shocked to find an Asian swamp eel, measuring 1.64 feet and weighing 250 grams, in his intestines along with faeces and food residue. The eel had caused a hole in the duodenum area, leading to life-threatening complications.
Initially, Liu claimed the eel entered his anus by mistake, but after surgery he admitted he had intentionally inserted it, believing in a folk medicine remedy that eels could clear bowel blockages. Dr Zhao Zhirong, the surgeon, noted that the patient could have faced fatal risks if he had delayed treatment further.
The eel was found dead upon removal, though it remains unclear if it was alive when inserted. Liu’s family has filed a lawsuit against an unnamed party, alleging negligence in his death. The case highlights the dangers of unverified traditional remedies.
