Plastic From Ketchup Packet Lodged in Infant's Vocal Cords

Doctors at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center were astonished to discover a centimeter-long piece of plastic from a ketchup packet lodged between the vocal cords of a nine-month-old infant from Binyamina. The baby had been suffering from a persistent cough and hoarseness for five days following an initial choking incident.

According to the infant's parents, the choking occurred while the baby was playing on the floor. Although they attempted to help, they did not notice any foreign object being expelled. While the baby's breathing initially improved, the cough and hoarseness continued, prompting the parents to seek medical attention.

Initial imaging at the hospital's pediatric emergency room did not reveal the foreign object. However, due to the choking incident and ongoing symptoms, an endoscopic examination was performed by ear, nose, and throat specialists. This procedure, using a small camera inserted through the nose, identified the red plastic fragment stuck between the vocal cords.

Dr. Tali Teitelbaum noted that while the baby appeared to be breathing normally, the nature of the cough, hoarseness, and the choking incident without signs of infection strongly suggested a foreign body. The plastic piece was lodged vertically, allowing some airflow, but the medical team recognized the significant risk of airway obstruction if it shifted or moved deeper into the trachea.

The infant was immediately taken to surgery, where Professor Yitzchak Breuer, head of the ENT department, successfully removed the plastic. A subsequent scan confirmed no other foreign objects remained. The baby was kept for observation and later released home in good condition.

Medical staff emphasized that persistent symptoms like unusual coughing or hoarseness after a choking incident, especially when the cause is unclear, warrant medical evaluation. They also reminded parents to keep small objects and packaging parts away from infants, as they can easily be inhaled into the airways.