Ahmedabad — In a life-saving operation, doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital successfully removed a piece of betel nut lodged in the trachea of a two-year-old child, narrowly saving him from a potentially fatal situation. The case has once again highlighted the need for constant vigilance by parents and caregivers of young children.

The child, Aryan Dantani from Kalol, is already battling abdominal tuberculosis and has been bedridden. His mother passed away six months ago, and he is currently being cared for by his uncle, aunt, and grandmother.

Three days before the incident, Aryan began suffering from a persistent cough, which worsened over time. His family first took him to a local hospital, and later to a pediatrician, where an X-ray revealed an obstruction in his airway. Due to Aryan’s deteriorating condition and the high cost of private treatment, he was referred to the Civil Hospital in Gandhinagar and eventually brought to the Pediatric Surgery ICU at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on July 16 at 11:30 a.m.

On arrival, Aryan’s oxygen saturation was just 80 percent, and he was in respiratory distress. Acting swiftly, the senior pediatric resident on duty intubated the child and placed him on ventilator support.

At 11:50 a.m., a bronchoscopy was performed. Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Head of the Pediatric Surgery Department and Medical Superintendent of the hospital, led the team along with Dr. Shakuntala (Professor of Anaesthesia) and Dr. Bharat Maheshwari. In a 15-minute high-precision procedure, the team successfully extracted the betel nut piece from Aryan’s trachea.

“The operation was done with speed and accuracy, which helped ensure a smooth recovery,” said Dr. Joshi. Aryan showed rapid post-operative improvement, was off oxygen within 24 hours, and was able to begin oral feeding the next day.

“This case is a clear example of how expert medical care and timely intervention can make all the difference. That such quality treatment is available completely free of charge at a government facility like Ahmedabad Civil Hospital is a lifeline for underprivileged families,” Dr. Joshi added.

Medical professionals have also used this case to issue a strong reminder to parents: young children must be constantly supervised, especially around small objects that pose a choking hazard. “It wasn’t just a betel nut – it was a brush with death,” Dr. Joshi remarked.