Bangladeshi fisherman has live eel removed from rectum

A 55‑year‑old fisherman in Bangladesh reported that a live snake eel entered his clothing and passed into his rectum while he was fishing. Embarrassed, he delayed seeking medical help, but worsening abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis forced him to go to a hospital.

X‑ray and further examinations revealed free air in the abdomen and a live eel lodged in the sigmoid colon, causing a 5 cm perforation. Surgeons performed emergency surgery, extracted the eel, repaired the bowel damage and placed a temporary colostomy. The patient recovered well and was discharged after four days. The case was later published in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports as a rare medical incident.